Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 7, 1936

Denaby Fracas
Struggle in Public House
Hospital Case

A fracas in the Reresby Arms Hotel, Denaby, had a sequel at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Tuesday, when several Denaby miners were sent to prison for assault.

In the first case Richard Pugh, miner, Denaby, summoned W. H. Booker, miner, Denaby, for assault. Booker, who was represented by Mr. J. H. Dunk, of Sheffield, pleaded not guilty.

Pugh said that on New Year’s Day he had a disagreement with a man named Clarke outside the Miners Welfare Club, but they settled their differences and shook hands. While they were doing so Booker came up and without warning struck him on the eye, knocking him down. He also kicked him. In consequence, witness had to receive treatment at the Fullerton hospital. Pugh added that he had never spoken to Booker in his life before, Clarke he believed was Booker’s brother-in-law.

James Rose, of Melton Street, Denaby Main, said he saw the blow struck. He gave Booker no provocation at all.

Booker in evidence denied the assault and said he was nowhere near the spot at the time. Replying to Mr. G. S. Ward, Booker said he did not see his brother-in-law Clarke, that evening.

The second case was one in which four Denaby miners Richard Pugh, Martin Caine, Walter Goddard and Edward D. Pass, were accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on W, Brooker and John C. Brown, miners, of Denaby. They were defended by Mr G. S. Ward, and all pleaded not guilty.

Opening the case for the prosecution Mr. J. H. Dunk on January 24, Booker and his brother Brown went into the Reresby Arms Hotel at about 9:15 p.m. and were followed by a man named Greenhalgh. About 9:30 PM on all four accused men came in. They ordered drinks and shortly afterwards Caine went over to the table where Booker and Brown were sitting and said “Do they call you Booker? We have been waiting for you. You are in for a good hiding before you leave here.

Cainethen struck table with his fist and followed this up by striking Booker over the left cheek with his right fist, calling out as he did so “Let them have it.”

Pugh then struck Brown in the left eye . Pugh had a handkerchief wrapped around his hand and there would be a suggestion that he had something under that handkerchief. Pass then struck Booker several blows over the head knocking him to the ground. Goddard and Pugh then came over and kicked him. Booker was dazed and exhausted and lay on the floor of the public house. The defendant’s then left the premises.

Another Attack

Later, Mr. Dunk continued, Goddard and Pugh again set upon Booker and Brown in Thrybergh Terrace. Brown had his overcoat over his head to protect himself. Brown was on compensation and had a bad leg and was in no form to defend himself.

A crowd gathered and there was shouting and screaming by women. This apparently caused the men to go away. Brooker and Brown gave evidence and denied having given any provocation for this attack. Booker said he was bruised all over the body and on the head. Brown said all four of the men kicked him unmercifully. When they struck him he had not spoken to any of them.

Walter Greenhalgh stated in evidence that he saw Pugh put on his hand what appeared to be a knuckle duster and wrap a handkerchief around it. He was of the opinion that the whole thing was an attack on the part of the four men. Witness went out of the premises before the trouble finished.

Mr. G. S. Ward, for the defence, submitted that there was no evidence to justify a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The magistrates agreed with Mr Ward’s submission and reduced the charges to common assault, to which charge Pugh, Kane Goddard and Pass pleaded guilty.

Continuing, Mr Ward said he thought there was a very strong provocation so far as Kane and Pugh were concerned. According to the instructions Caine went to Booker, after having received a complaint from his sister and that what was caused the trouble.

Pugh took part in the affray because Brown threatened him by raising the stool on which he had been sitting and brandishing it in the air. Goddard did not come in until the trouble had started. In the case of Pass he submitted there was no evidence against him at all.

It was stated that all the accused had previous convictions for minor offences. Goddard had a record of 13 convictions.

The chairman (Mr Mark Nokes) said that people who went to public houses for refreshments recreation were not going to be upset by gangs like this. They had obviously been a regular uproar. “You can get your gangs together but we will smash them up as fast as you make them,” he added.

All the men Pugh Goddard Caine, Pass, and Booker were sent to prison for a month.