“Battle” In Wood – Three Poachers Sent To Prison

April 1938

Sheffield Independent – Friday 08 April 1938

“Battle” In Wood

Three Poachers Sent To Prison

The story encounter between poachers and gamekeepers in Stainborough Wood, on the Brampton Bierlow estate of Earl Fitzwilliam, was told at Leeds Assizes yesterday, when three men were charged with armed poaching by night.

They were John Thomas Brannon (34), farm labourer, of Conisborough, sentenced to nine months’ hard labour; Leonard Mangham (24), miner, of Mexborough, sentenced to eight months hard labour, and Charles Spring (21), labourer, Mexborough, sentenced to six months’ hard labour.

On the night of 21 December three gamekeepers heard shots and came upon the three accused, whom they all knew.

When one of the keepers seized  Mangham, he kicked him, and Spring struck the keeper with the butt of a gun.