Mexborough and Swinton Times May 9, 1925
Denaby Street betting case
William Gough described as a bookmaker of Denaby, was summoned at the Doncaster West Riding Court on Saturday having loitered in the street at Denaby on April 29 for the purpose of betting.
PC Rose said he saw a man had the defendant what appeared to be paper and money, and going to defendant witness told him what he suspected.
The defendant replied, “Yes that was a shilling the man gave me.” When charged he said “I am sorry but I have no luck.” Witness found on the defendant 37 betting slips relating to 129 bets on horses running at Newmarket that day. And £8 12s. 3 1/2d in money, £4 10s being in notes.
Gough said he had been unable to follow his employment having been injured in a colliery accident. He only received £1 2s 4d a week in compensation and he had a family to keep. He thought he would try a little betting to earn some more money. If he had been able to follow his employment he would not have been there.
In answer to the chairman, defendant said he was doing the betting for himself.
Supt. Minty said defendant had been doing that work since 1806, but had not been to court since 1916. He was before the court in 1998, 1901 and 1916.
The defendant said that the 1916 case was at Mexborough, and concerned his father whose Christian name was also William. It was almost 20 years since he defendant was last in court.
In fining the defendants 40s the chairman said they were assuming the defendant was not convicted in 1916.