Enforced Sobriety – Habitual Drunkard Sent to a Home

December 1909

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 20 December 1909

Enforced Sobriety

Denaby Habitual Drunkard Sent to a Home

The charge of being a habitual drunkard was brought on Saturday at the Doncaster West Riding Court, against Vincent Bell, collier, Denaby.

Superintendent Hicks proved four convictions for drunkenness during the present year, and the police evidence was that the man is dangerous and quarrelsome when in drink.

Sergeant Ramsey said that the defendant, when drunk, was a dangerous man, who used threats and tried to carry them into effect. On one occasion Police-constable Hague saw him fighting in the midst of a crowd of 200 or 300 persons, and he assaulted witness. On that occasion he was sent to prison for six weeks.

Thomas Arthur, landlord of the Miners’ Inn, Denaby, said that when sober the defendant was quiet as sheep, though one night he attacked witness and threw a stone at him.

Defendant, who is 29, promised amendment if given another chance. The magistrates, however, sent him to the Inebriates’ Home at Cattal for 12 months