Denaby Main Drunkenness

July 1885

Mexborough and Swinton Times July 24, 1885

Denaby Main Drunkenness

Benjamin Smith was summoned for having been drunk and disorderly at Denaby on the fifth inst.

Police Constable Kendall says that on the day named he saw the defendant near the Denaby Crossing in a drunken condition. He was disorderly and using threats against the “Black sheep”

Police Sgt Drake stated that about our past 10 on Sunday night he was on duty near the Denaby Crossing when he saw the defendant, who was drunk, shouting, and making a great noise. Witness told him not to make such a noise when defendant commenced to make use of very bad language. He did not hear the defendant make use of threats against the “Black sheep,” but he might have done so, as there were several new workmen about at the time.

Police Constable Myers gave corroborative evidence.

Mr Hickmott for the defence, denied that Smith was drunk, and called James Humphreys, who stated that he met the defendant at the Station Hotel, Conisbrough at 9 o’clock. When Smith left the hotel he was not drunk and was able to talk sensibly.

Fined 3s and costs.

Thomas Rolph was summoned for a similar offence at Denaby on the fifth inst.

Mr Hickman appeared for the defendant.
Police Constable Kendall stated that on the evening of the fifth he saw the defendant with a heavy stick in his hand. He could not walk straight. The defendant was threatening to strike police Sgt Drake with the stick.
Police Sgt Drake stated that the defendant was brandishing a state. Witness took the stick away and threw it into the colliery yard.

Police Constable Ackroyd said he saw the defendant walking down Doncaster Road, Denaby, with a heavy stick. He asked the defendant what he was carrying that implement for an defendant said it was for “Sgt Drake and his – – – – family.”

Mr Hickman stated that a “Staffordshire gentleman,” had attended to apply the stick to the defendant, but the latter wrested it from him. That state had already figured prominently in the court. He called police constable Webber, who said he was on duty at Denaby on the fifth inst. He did not know whether the defendant was drunk or not. If the defendant had been drunk and had been going along quietly he would not have spoken to him.

Mary Anna Mountford said she saw the defendant in Mexborough at 11 o’clock. He was then sober, but a little excited.

The defendant stated that he had two glasses of beer in the station Hotel at Conisbrough. He had previously been at a public house at Mexborough. He was sober when he left the public house at Conisbrough. He met police constable Webber and bade him quotes good night.” The stick produced in court was thrown at him, and he picked it up. Police Sgt Drake when he saw him said “Tom, there’s soldiers waiting for thee on yon iron brig.” He said he could not out that.
Mrs Wraith said the defendant was perfectly sober.
Fined 3 shillings and costs.