Mexborough and Swinton Times February 11, 1898
Affairs at Conisbrough
Sergeant Brown Assaulted
William Featherstone Martin, innkeeper’s son, Conisbrough, was charged with assaulting Sergeant Brown at Conisbrough on the 30th ult.
Mr Baddiley appeared for the defendant.
Sergeant Brown said that on the date mentioned, about 10.25, he was on duty in High Street in company with PC Richie. He could then see the defendant and others against the outside of the vaults window of the Eagle and Child Inn. He concluded from what he saw that they were gambling.
He got within 10 yards of them. Defendant, his brothers John and Frank, then ran further into the yard towards the urinals, and Frank afterwards ran into the house. A man name Sykes and another man stood outside against the window.
He (witness) spoke to the man Sykes about the gambling, and then went into the house. He asked to see the landlord. The landlady said he could not see the landlord. Witness said she ought to see that people left the premises after turning out, and not allowed to gamble on the windowsill. Mrs Martin said “I’ll tell you what it is Sergeant; you’re trying to do is all the harm you can; you’re trying to take the bread out of our mouths.”
The Chairman: Was the defendant in. – Witness: no sir.
Continuing the defendant came in and said “What the h— do you two (referring to Richie and himself) want here?” He also said “if you don’t take your b—– hooks then I’ll knock your b—— heads off.”
He then got hold of witness right arm and pushed him across the kitchen towards the door, used very bad language, also remarking that he would ‘swing for them.’
Ultimately witness left, after saying he should summon the son for an assault upon him while in the execution of his duty.
Mr Baddiley for the defence contended that where the officer saw the men outside was not private, but public property.
In answer to his cross-examination the officer said he had no bad feeling towards the defendant. It was true the father had been recently summoned, that the son gave evidence, and that the case was dismissed.
PC Richie gave evidence, deposing to having heard gambling conversations, after is going inside the house.
Cross-examined, witness said he did not hear the sergeant inviting the defendant to strike him.
Mr Baddiley called evidence denied that any gambling to place.
Mary Martin, in her evidence, stated that after hearing the statement made by the officers she remarked, “You don’t know what to do with us. You come here with paltry cases. Yet you are not exempt yourself.” He asked the sergeant if he thought it was her place to watch people about to see where they went to. Defendant asked them to go out, and said they had no right there. He charged them with gambling outside, and he was very indignant and got excited, and the sergeant said “Come At me, Bill. I want you to do that. I should like you to do six months for me.”
Her son said “Come outside and I will show you what I will do,” but he did not touch the sergeant.
By Superintendent Blake: the sergeant did not asked to see the landlord. Her son was a cabinetmaker at Mr Appleyard’s and worked daily.
John Martin also gave evidence, and bore out the statement made by the last witness. The defendant never laid a finger on the sergeant. The sergeant never asked to see the landlord, who came downstairs just as the sergeant was leaving.
By Sergeant Blake: He looked after the bar. It was not true he got a living by bookmaking.
Frank Martin denied the charge that he was gambling outside. He denied that the defendant struck the sergeant and corroborated the statement that the sergeant said you like to do six months for him. In answer to Superintendent Blake he said he was a fitter at the Cadeby Colliery.
Allice Maude Herald, servant at the house, and neice to the landlady, also gave evidence.
The Chairman (Mr Yarborough) said the sergeant had a right to enter the premises, and no member of the family had a right to turn him out. The sergeant might not have acted with the greatest discretion. This was very trivial assault, but it was an assault.
Fined five shillings and costs.