Mexborough and Swinton Times May 5, 1906

A Conisborough Farmer’s Assault
Heavy Penalty

A case interesting to Conisborough people came before the West Riding magistrate at Doncaster on Saturday, Mr GBC Yarborough presiding.

John Appleyard, a well-known farmer, was summoned by George Clarke, a labourer with having assaulted him at Conisborough on 7 April.

The case had been adjourned several times on account of the complainant being unable to appear.

Mr GW Andrews appeared for the complainant, and Mr WM Gichard defended.

Mr Andrew, in opening the case, said on the date in question complainant went to see the defendant in respect to the dismissal of his son, which had been in Mr Appleyard’s employ. Complainant hard not paid the boy his wages, and so the complainant went to see him about it.

He was directed to the stable, where he found the defendant and had some conversation with him. He told him if he dismissed him he had a right to pay him his wages. The defendant thereupon said he would fetch it and give it to him. He went directly to the house, but instead of bringing the money he return with a hunting crop, and while Clarke was stood with his hands in his pockets, he struck him across the head without any provocation whatever. He knocked him about very badly, following him across a field, hitting and kicking him all the way.

The complainant had great difficulty in getting home. He complained to the police, and he would call police Sgt Horton, who would tell them of his condition. His wrist was contused, and he appeared to have been terribly knocked about. In fact, he was confined to his bed for a fortnight, and was still unable to follow his employment. Continuing Mr Andrews, speaking with regard to the defendant, said it appeared that he was dangerous to society, for he appeared unable to control himself. There was absolutely no provocation for such an assault, but surely no amount of provocation would justify such a beating of the defendant inflicted upon the complainant.

Clarke was sworn, and he bore out his advocate’s statement. He went to see the defendant, about five or 6 o’clock. The defendant had stopped his boy, Ernest, because he had stayed away from work on the previous Friday in order to attend the Point-to-point steeplechase races. Witness told him that he should appeared in when he dismissed him.

In answer to Mr Gichard, the complainant said the defendant beat him terribly about the head, and knocked him over the shafts of a cart.

Ernest Clarke (the son in question), Mrs Clarke (who said the defendant wanted to square the job for 20 shillings) George Goodlad and police Sgt Horton gave evidence. The latter said complainant was sober.

Mr Gichard submitted that Clarke went to see the defendant with a grievance. An attempt to be made to make the offence looked far more serious than it really was. He shall call a man named Curtis and if there were six believed his evidence they will come to that conclusion.

The defendant gave evidence. He admitted that he struck the complainant once only with the hunting crop, but afterwards he acted on the defensive. He fell over the shafts as he was running away.

Walter Curtis, an engine driver, of Hooton Roberts, said he saw the complainant as he was on his way to see Mr Appleyard. He was very excited, and was using threatening language.

William Wilson and Joshua Appleyard (the defendant’s brother) also gave evidence.

The Chairman, while the latter was given evidence, warmly remark, “Let this witness go, because I don’t believe a word he says.”

The hearing lasted a considerable time, and that the close the Chairman said the Bench were of the opinion that the defendant was guilty of an assault, and he might say that he had only just escaped being sent to prison. It might have been that she had received some provocation, but the punishment he had meted out was out of all proportion to any he might have received.

He would have to pay the full penalty of 5 pounds including the costs. He had been before the Court previously, not very long ago, for a common assault, the next time you will be sent to prison.