Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 18 May 1912
“Cheap Firewood”
Denaby Persons Damage to a Fence
Several Denaby persons were summoned by the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery Company for damage to a fence at Denaby on May 1.
Their names were Dennis Galvin, labourer, Denaby; William Dyche, miner, Denaby; Ethel Fletcher, married, Denaby; Sarah Ball, married, Denaby; Thomas Willoughby (14), Denaby; John Griffen (12), schoolboy, Denaby; and Martin Griffen, miner, Denaby.
Mr F Allen prosecuted.
He explained that the fence in question surrounded the Denaby football ground, and notwithstanding previous warnings the defendants were seen getting “cheap firewood,” and in a short time had taken to 180 feet of superficial wood.
There were caught in the act by PC Rushton and Witty Milner, a colliery watchman.
PC Richardson said that at 6.0 5 PM on the day in question, he was on duty in Balby St, Denaby, when he saw the defendants pulling down a fence near the football ground. He spoke to them, and they replied: “Anybody can take it who like to fetch it.”
PC Rushton said there would be hundred people engaged in pulling the wood down.
Witty Milner assisted assessed damages at 8/– each.
The defendants were fined 10/– including costs and damage