Mexborough and Swinton Times January 11, 1895
A Bus Scene at Denaby
John Hicks, stonemason, Denaby was charged with having assaulted Frances Beardsley and Ada Charnock
Mr Baddiley appeared for the defendant
Frances Beardsley, age 14 years, said she was in a bus going from Mexborough to Denaby, and the defendant behaved indecently to her several times. He said it he would give her five shillings “to go on the crags with him.”
By Mr Baddiley: There were six persons in the conveyance, including the girl, Charnock, and relatives of the defendant, with his wife and daughter.
Ada Charnock, aged 12 years, said the defendant felt up her clothes five or six times and his daughter said, “don’t father,” and pulled him away. He afterwards kissed her and pulled her hair down. His wife said “Leave the lass alone.” He said “don’t forget to go on the crags with me.”
William Henry Ward said the defendant was in the bus drunk. He saw the indecency of the defendant
By Mr Baddiley: Defendant’s wife and daughter were in the bus. I got hold of him and told him to let the girl alone
Mary Chandler, mother of the girl assaulted, said the girl came home with her face red and her hair down. She was very excited and she has not be right since. Only on Friday night she screamed out when in bed.
Mrs Beardsley said she went to the defendant’s house, but was told by the wife he was in bed
Mr Baddiley said the indecency was “trumped up,” according to the statement on behalf of his client. He called the daughter-in-law and the conductor to say they evidence was greatly exaggerated. The defendant had been in the artillery as a gunner for nine years, and he had an Afghan medal and retired from the army with pension for life. He had been to Sheffield, and being Christmas time he had been “enjoying” himself. He was worse for drink
The Chairman said the bench had doubts in the matter and they would give the defendant the benefit of them and discharge him.