“A Drunken Brawl”

September 1916

Mexborough and Swinton Times September 23, 1916

“A Drunken Brawl”

A disgraceful row at Denaby was investigated when Esther Tilly summoned John Huberry, a miner, for assault.

The complainant is the defendant’s sister-in-law.

The woman appeared in court very marks of severe ill-treatment. The left eye was badly discoloured, bruised, and swollen, and it was heavily bandaged. She said the defendant came into her house, and she ordered him out. He would not go. She was sitting on the sofa at the time, and he came across and started “tickling” her. The lodger told him to leave her alone, and he then began to talk back at the lodger, and eventually struck him in the face. The lodger picked up the poker, but the defendant seized it and struck him, and “outed” him with it. He then struck her, knocking her down. He also kicked her and knocked her head up and down until she was senseless. He went away but returned and wanted to pay for what he had done.

The lodger gave evidence. He said the defendant struck him on the jaw while he had a child in his arms. Witness picked up the poker, but defendant seized it and knocked him out. He could not say whether the defendant struck the complainant with the poker or kicked her.

PC Grant said when he arrived he found the complainant bleeding from a wound of the left eye. Her apron and face were covered with blood. The defendant was in the house, and he told witness that he and the lodger had had a few words, which led to a fight. The complainant, he said, seized his court, and she fell down onto some broken parts, which cause the wounds. The complainant was under the influence of drink, and the defendant was sober.

The defendant alleged the woman was drunk, having had 11 glasses of whiskey, allowing to be assisted home by his wife another woman. He and the lodger at some work, and he ran the latter round the table. Complainant seizes coal, and was dragged off the sofa onto the floor. He asked her to release him, but she would not. He struck once when they were outside.

Alice Huberry gave evidence; and the Chairman, in finding the defendant 10 shillings, said it seemed to have been a drunken brawl.