Mexborough and Swinton Times August 2, 1919
A Peace Day Celebration’.
A tale of a dog fight and subsequent “words” between two men was ‘told at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court, on Tuesday, when Walter Saxton, pit hand, Conisboro’, was summoned by Harold Moody for assault on Peace Day, in West Street.
The complainant who is a son of Mr. Moody, landlord of the Alma Inn, was represented by Mr. J. A. Baddiley who said that the bother occurred soon after turning out time.
The peace procession had just passed along West. Street, when a dog fight occurred. The defendant went up to the complainant who was standing near and without the slightest warning or provocation hit him, knocking him down.
Mr. Baddiley suggested that the defendant was one of the select society of street corner boys who seemed to think that when they were in a crowd they could do just as they liked; and, that their numbers protected them from any proceedings being taken is court.
Evidence was given by Moody, who said he never spoke to the defendant, who, without any provocation struck him violently. He was talking to two friends, Lawrence Calvert, V.C. and his brother. The latter, Walter Calvert, said the defendant rushed at the complainant and struck him. He never heard Moody say anything to him. When Moody got up he asked-defendant if he was satisfied.
Replying to Mr. Frank Allen for the defendant, he said he saw the defendant in the middle of the ring, round the dogs, trying to part them. He did not hear Moody say that he would not have allowed him to have kicked a dog belonging to him. He did not see Moody put his fists up in a threatening manner, or use bad language.
William Sudworth, corroborated, said he saw the defendant kick one dog and it was he who said that he would not have allowed him to have kicked one belonging to him. Mr. Allen suggested that it was a case which never ought to have been brought. The defendant tried his level best to stop the fight and it was then that the complainant threatened him.
He, Mr. Allen, protested strongly against the suggestion that had been made by Mr. Baddiley that the defendant was a corner boy, whatever that was, or that he was acting in association with a number of other roughs. There was no foundation for such remarks.
The defendant, on oath, denied that he acted other than in self defence.
Moody threatened him and he struck in self defence.
Two witnesses, Samuel Lawrence and Jno. McDermott, were called, and the bench dismissed the case.