Assault At Conisboro’

Edward Harrison, a pony driver, of Denaby, was summoned by another pony driver, named Rowland Heath, for assaulting him at Conisboro’ on the 5th Oct. The defendant pleaded guilty.

Mr. W. M. Gichard, who prosecuted, stated that both boys were pony drivers and were employed at the Denaby Colliery. The complainant had only been working since the strike, whilst the defendant had been employed at the colliery previous to the dispute, and was still employed there, and he might state if the defendant wished to retain his employment he would not have to indulge in that class of conduct any more.

From the facts of the case it appeared that in the rush of men and boys for the cages, the result being that the complainant was pushed up against a scaffold. The defendant then did nothing whatever to do with the rush, but pushed forward by the side of Harrison, it appeared, thought that Heath had done it purposely, and said, “If you don’t give over crushing I will knock your eye out if you are a bigger lad.”

Mr. Gichard thought it was time that that feeling should cease. These lads, who made use of such expressions, and were possessed of foolish notions, must be made to understand that if they persisted in it they must bear the consequences.

Speaking of the assault, Mr. Gichard said that the lads returned from work that night getting out of the pit about seven o’clock, and both arrived at the pit bottom at about the same time. Some other lad drew the attention of the defendant to the fact that the complainant, whom he had previously threatened, was near him. The lads got out of the pit, and the complainant proceeded on his way home.

A witness, named Milner, heard the defendant say, “I’ll give thee—” when he came out. That expression caused Milner to follow the defendant out of the yard, and he saw him stand in the road. The complainant came along a few minutes later, and the watchman saw the defendant go up to him and deliberately strike him twice, once in the mouth and then other in the eye, causing the eye to swell up, and it was discoloured for several days afterwards.

The complainant was only 13 years of age, whilst the defendant was 18, and it was highly necessary when lads had to go to work in the pit at such a delicate age, that they should be protected from lads like the defendant. The complainant and Milner bore the statement out in evidence.

The defendant said it first commenced on the pit hill. Complainant struck him first, and he only struck him back.

The Bench fined the defendant 30s., including costs.