Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 19, 1929
“Big Entry ” Gang
Denaby “Tossing” School Raided.
A police raid by officers in plain clothes and uniform on a gambling school at Denaby on Sunday afternoon resulted in nine Denaby pithands appearing before the Doncaster West Riding magistrates on Tuesday.
They were: Frank Watson, who was fined 25s., Donald Smith 40s., Arthur Duke 25s.,James Cooper, Fred Gant, Jack Bunting, Clarence Heeley, Ernest Reed, and Joe Clarke, who were each fined 20s.
It was alleged that they were members of the “Big Entry” gang. P.c.’s Bowden and Driver gave evidence of the raid. The “school” numbered between 50 and 60 men. When a police whistle was blown, the men scattered in all directions, and most went into houses. The gambling had been going on for months. Complaints had been received about the language used by the men, and it was a proper “tossing” school, which was carried on from Fridays to Sunday nights.
P.c. Driver added that not being known by the gamblers he went amongst them for about five minutes before the signal for the raid. It was difficult to carry out a raid successfully on the school, because touts were placed at every street corner. “When the raid is made,” said the constable, “every one’s house is their house.’ .