Alleged Wounding Case at Denaby – Prisoner Committed

October 1906

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 13, 1906

Alleged Wounding Case at Denaby
Prisoner Committed

At the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Thursday, before Mr WJ Huntriss presiding, and Mr JW Watson, Henry Martin was brought up in custody charged with having unlawfully wounded George Gething at Denaby on October 7.

Mr GW Andrews appeared for the defendant.

George Gething, the complainant, said he was a filler, and resided at 116 Annerley Street, Denaby. On Sunday last he have been to Mexborough, and returned home at night. When he got within about 30 yards of his own door defendant, Henry Martin, came up to him. It would be about 10:20 pm. He had known prisoner about two years, and they were on friendly terms with each other. He thought prisoner was drunk.

Superintendent Hickes: What makes you think he was drunk? – Because if he had been sober, he would not have “set about” me.

Witness continuing said that when prisoner came up to him, he said, “Hello, George how are you going on? He turned and looked at him, and asked prisoner how he was. Martin replied, “Oh, rotten champion.” He then left and walked to the back door of the house. He (witness) went away from his house, but came back again and he saw prisoner near the door. Not a word was spoken, and Martin took his hand out of his pocket, and struck at him, but he did not hit him, because he was out of reach. Prisoner again came up and struck him on the face with the left hand, which made his nosebleed and he fell down through the effects of the blow. He then got up and ran away. Prisoner, however, caught up with him near some ash pits and continued his assault. After knocking him down, he struck him four times on the nose and about the right side of the face. Witness then shouted “Help!” and prisoner immediately kicked him on the left side of the chin. He tried to get away, but dropped down and became unconscious. Next thing he remembered was being taken home and he found that his nose was broken and a “gap” on the left side of his chin, which required two stitches putting in. At about midnight he was taken to Dr Twiggs surgery at Denaby, where the injuries were dressed. He had never quarrelled with the prisoner before. He had never threatened him and he (witness) could give no reason why committed the assault.”

Witness, cross-examined by Mr GW Andrews, said the prisoner kept him on his feet the whole of the time.

Mr Andrews: It is a very extraordinary story you have told about this drunken man. Was you talking to another man nicknamed “Brinsy” about football when the prisoner came up? – Witness, no sir.

Further questioned, witness denied making a filthy suggestion to prisoner.

Mr Andrews: I suggest he never kicked you, what he did was done honestly with his hands – Witness: He did kick me.

Florence Marshall said she resided at Denaby. On the evening of the assault she was home against the back gate of their house. She saw two men, who were about eight or 9 yards away. She did not recognise either of them. They would be about 20 yards away from Gething’s back door, near the ash pits. They were talking in a low tone. They went away, and after a while she heard someone shout “Help!” several times. The cry came from between the ash pits. She went towards the place, and complainant came staggering towards her. They took Gething away, and then the prisoner came down, and after some conversation he said, “I’m the man that’s done it but you don’t know what he’s done to me.”

Samuel Davies, who resided next door to Mrs Marshall, said he heard cries for help about 10:30 pm and proceeding to the spot he found Gething on the floor. He picked him up, and there was blood on his face.

Cross-examined witness said he knew prisoner well, and had never seen or heard of him doing anything wrong.

Thomas Sugden, collier, of Annerley Street, Denaby, said on the night of the assault he was in bed, but on hearing cries for help he got up and went to the spot near the ash pits, where he found Gething who was in a very dazed condition. Davies was with him. A crowd gathered, and when witness saw Gething he said, “Well, the man who has done this deserves six months,” and then prisoner said. “I have done it, I would do it again, if the man serves me the trick that he has done.” He asked prisoner what the trick was, but he did not answer just then.

Cross-examined by Mr Andrew, witness said that prisoner drew two of them away from the crowd, and then told them what the trick was, which was a filthy one.

Dr Twigg said Gething was brought to surgery on Sunday night about 11.30. After washing him he found an incised wound on the left-hand side of the lower jaw, which extended to the bone, and was about 1 ½ inches long, and required two stitches. He had also a contusion on the right cheekbone, and the nose was fractured. It would have taken a good deal of violence to cause the injuries, and they could have been inflicted by a fist or a boot.

Cross-examined, witness said the injury to the chin might have been caused by complainant falling against a wall.

PC Harrison said he apprehended prisoner on Monday, October 10 and charged him with unlawfully wounding George Gething. He replied. “All right, Gov; it’s there, I have done it; it’s no use crying over spilt milk.” He never made any complaint about Gething.

Mr Andrews asked that the case might be reduced to one of assault; his client had a very sound reason for committing the same. He had a widowed mother and her children to keep.

Prisoner was sworn, and said that when he saw Gething he was talking to a man nicknamed “Brinsy” about football. This man went away, and he and Gething still talked about a football match. Prisoner then walked away, and complainant followed, and came up to him and made a filthy suggestion. He “shoved” him away, but he repeated the suggestion. He refused to go away when told so he struck him. He denied kicking him. He was not drunk, only having had 2 pints of beer that day, and these were at intervals.

The Bench ordered prisoner to take his trial at the West Riding Sessions at Wakefield on Monday.

Mr Andrew then appealed for funds for defence under the Poor Prisoner’s Act, but the Bench refused to grant same.

Bail was allowed, prisoner’s surety being £20, and two other sureties of £10 each.