Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 15 December 1933
Deputy Waylaid
Assault by Aggrieved Miner
Denaby Incident
A miner’s assault on a Denaby colliery deputy was described to Doncaster County Magistrates on Tuesday, when Frederick Evans, of Denaby, was summoned by Joseph T. Blenkiron (54), 21, Tickhill Square, Denaby. Evans pleaded guilty.
Mr. C. R. Marshall, prosecuting, said Blenkiron was a deputy at Denaby Colliery and defendant was a workman in his district. About 9.20 p.m. on November 16th, Blenkiron left home for the colliery and as he approached Thrybergh Terrace he noticed defendant standing beneath a lighted gas lamp. Evans began to move off in front of Blenkiron. After Blenkiron had passed the gas lamp he found himself in darkness as the light from the lamp was cut off by the corner of a house. Suddenly Blenkiron received a violent blow on the right side of the head which knocked him to the ground. He did not know who had struck him and, though dazed, heard someone running away. He then felt blood streaming down the side of his face and he went into a house in Annesley Street to bathe his wound.
Later he went to the Fullerton Hospital for medical treatment. On the way he had to pass the home of the colliery under-manager (Mr. Dean), to whom he reported the affair. Mr. Dean’s description of Blenkiron’s condition was that “he had suffered a severe wound extending from the top of the right ear to the eye and from the cheekbone to the bottom of the nose. Blood was streaming from it.”
As a result of the attack Blenkiron was off work until November 30th, and had to receive medical attention daily.
The reason for the attack was that defendant had worked under Blenkiron for several months and his work had been such that Blenkiron frequently complained. Several times defendant had threatened Blenkiron. At 5 a.m. on November 16th, Blenkiron told Evans to do a certain job. He refused and said he was going home, and that if he did not get more money he would slaughter Blenkiron. Blenkiron replied that he would report Evans to the under-manager.
After the assault Blenkiron could not swear who had attacked him, but the colliery management interviewed Evans who at first denied all knowledge of the affair but later confessed. The colliery company fully supported the prosecution and asked the magistrates to assist them in protecting their officials.
Blenkiron gave evidence in support of this statement.
When asked what he had to say, Evans replied: “That statement is correct, but I had reasons for doing it. He was always putting on me down the pit.”
The Chairman (Mr. W. Hinchliff): “And was this the only way of remedying it?”
Defendant: “Yes. He stopped my lamp. I was sacked before I struck him. Now my dole has been stopped.”
The Chairman: “If there was anything wrong you should have taken proper steps and not done anything like this.”
Defendant: “He called me a bastard twice down the pit.”
The Chairman: “This has been a very cowardly assault, and if there had been anything against you before, you would have gone to prison without option. As it is you will be fined 40s., to be paid in 14 days. The alternative is a month in prison.”
Defendant: “I’ll take the month. I have no money.”
The Chairman: “It is up to you.”