Cruelty to a Pony at Denaby Main

Thomas Mullins, pony driver, pleaded guilty to cruelly ill-treating a pony named Sailor, at Denaby on June 7th.

Mr. Hickmott prosecuted, and said the pony was one of the best in the colliery, and no driver ever took with him. The animal was entrusted to the defendant’s care, and because it went too fast for him and knocked the corves off the line he kicked it on the legs and tore the skin off.

Mr. Soar, deputy at the above-named colliery, said that about five o’clock on the afternoon of the date in question he saw Mullins deliberately kick the pony on the leg three times because it had pulled the corves off the line, thus breaking the skin and hindering the pony from working on a shift on account of the kicks. He said that he did it in a temper.

John Guest, pony keeper, also gave evidence as to the pony’s condition when the defendant returned it.

Defendant was fined 10s. and costs, or 14 days’ imprisonment.