Denaby Betting Houses – Miners and Wives Summoned

October 1938

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 7, 1938

Denaby Betting Houses
Miners and Wives Summoned

Two Denaby miners and their wives were summoned at Doncaster on ‘Saturday for keeping and using betting houses.

John H. Wagstaff (49), miner, Denaby, was fined £5 for keeping a betting house at 22 Maltby Street, Denaby, and his wife, EdithWagstaff (46), £2 for assisting him.

Mr. G. Billington prosecuted on behalf of the, police, and said observations were kept on the premises on August 30th and three successive days, when an average of 16 persons, including several children, were seen to visit the house. A raid was carried out and ten slips and 11s. 9d.in cash were found.

Both defendants pleaded “guilty,” and the man said he had to do it on account of his health. It was the only way he could get a living.

The Chairman (Mr. Mark Nokes) warned defendants to keep children away in future.    .

In the second case, William T. Guest (40), minner, Denaby, and his wife, Lily ‘Guest (39), pleaded guilty to keeping and assisting in the keeping of a betting house, and were fined £5 and .£2 respectively.

Mr. Billington said that observations were kept on the house on August 31st and Sept. 1st and 2nd, when an aggregate of 80 persons visited it. When the police carried out the raid Guest said,. “I have been off work with my eyes. I have to do this for a living.”