Mexborough & Swinton Times, June 15, 1907
“A Raid on Bookies.”
Denaby Constables Busy.
£5 Fines.
There were three more cases of offences under the Street betting act.
Firstly, Geo. Alfred Moore, a machine hand, New Conisborough, was charged for an offence which took place at Conisborough on June 1.
PC Wailes said he was on duty in plainclothes on the date in question, and at 2 p.m. he saw defendant stood on the highway in Doncaster Road, New Conisborough, near the end of William Street. He watched him until 2:30 p.m. and during that time he saw 10 men and youths go up to defendant and some of them were reading sporting pinks. After perusing the pink several slips of paper were handed to Moore, and he put them in his trousers pocket. He watched a further 10 minutes, and five more youths went to him.
During a period of his watching PCs Jenkinson and Cousins were in his company. They went up to him and searched him. 13 slips of paper were found on him, nine blank, and four with bets written on. They were the names of horses running that day. In his trousers pocket he had half a sovereign in gold, several two shilling pieces, and 11 sixpences. When charged he said “I am not on my own; I only wish I was.”
PCs Jenkinson and Cousins gave corroborated evidence.
Defendant said the pieces of paper he used for the purpose of writing down the particulars of what work he had been done at the glasshouse and also to reckon up what money he had to draw.
He was fined £5 and costs 9/–.
William Gough, a Denaby colliery, was the next defendant, who appeared and pleaded not guilty.
PC Glithro said on May 30 he was in Doncaster Road, Denaby, at 12 noon, when he saw defendant standing near the Reresby arms. There were five men round Gough, who had a book in his hand. When witness approached him he closed the book and walked away. At 12.50 the same day he again saw defendant in the same place. Three men who were going to work handed him slips of paper. When the defendant saw witness he went round the corner to his house, and came out again at five minutes past one. A man went up to him and gave him a silver coin. On searching defendant he found upon him a book with two entries 9/6 in silver, a few coppers, and a sporting paper. When he charged him he said “The colliery company will get to know, and I shall lose my work and get turned out of my house.” He asked for his book back.
Defendant pleaded that the entries in his book were two “good things” that a friend had told him about.
He was ordered to pay £5 costs and 8/6.
Thomas Brennan, filler, new Conisborough, was another defendant charged with a similar offence to the two preceding cases, which took place at Conisborough on June 1.
Mr Baddeley defended.
PC Colin said at 2.10 p.m. on the date in question, he was on duty in plainclothes in new Conisborough, accompanied by PC Wailes. The defendant was standing in Doncaster Road, near to the Denaby Main Hotel. They watched him for 10 minutes, and during that time five men handed him slips of paper which he placed in his trousers pocket. Witness went away and returned at 2.35 p.m., when Brannan was still in the same place, together with five other men, but nothing occurred. At 2.45 p.m. a man walked up to defendant and handed him a slip of paper, which he placed in his waistcoat pocket. At 3.10 p.m. PC Jenkinson joined them, and defendant was still in the same place. They went up to him, and on searching him they found in his vest pocket two slips of paper. With four horses names on, all taking part in races on that day.
Defendant said “that is all you will find.” In another pocket there were 7/6 in silver, which he said was his own, and in another pocket there was 5/–.
During the giving of the above evidence other two constables had been out of court and both gave corroborative evidence with one exception. PC Wailes contended that Brannan said they 5/– was betting money.
For the defence Mr Baddeley said his client had been on the sick list since April 30 and had been order to get as much fresh air as possible. One of the slips found upon him was his own. And the other was given to him by another man who asked him to take it for him.
A fine of £5 and 10/– costs were opposed.