Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 23 November 1912
After Game at Denaby
Rabbits that were “bought”
Jeremiah Mannis, a miner, of New Conisboro’ was charged with an offence under the poaching prevention act at Denaby on November 14.
PC Haigh said that at 9-10 a.m. on the date in question he was on duty in Doncaster Road, Denaby, when he saw the accused, with his pocket very bulky, crossing from land where game is preserved. He stopped him and found six warm rabbits in his possession. The clogs which accused was wearing were wet, and he was covered with fur and grass. He obtained his name and told him that he would be reported. He should say that the rabbits had just been killed when he saw them.
PC Barnes corroborated. He was with the last witness, and knowing the man to being a tourist poacher, they stopped. He gave a wrong address but witness said “That is all right. I know you well.”
The defendant said that he had bought the rabbits in Mexborough from a hawker. With regard to the clogs he was falsely wary, he really boots. He had been described as a “notorious poacher.” He had only been convicted once before, but he suppose that now we had once got the name it would stand. There were five previous convictions, but only one for poaching.
He was ordered to pay 25/– inclusive.