Fight in the Pit – Lively Interlude at Cadeby

January 1926

Mexborough and Swinton Times January 8, 1926

Fight in the Pit
Lively Interlude at Cadeby

A bout of fisticuffs in Cadeby pit on December 10, occupied the attention of the West Riding magistrates at Doncaster on Saturday, when Robert Ashurst, a Denaby miner, summoned Lawrence Craven, another miner for assault.

According to complainant, the parties were working in the same stall. Witness asked defendant to mark a tub. This, it was alleged was when the trouble started. Defendant remarked “You devill, I will kill you.”

He hit witness under the chin. Ashurst put up his hands to ward off the blow, and defendant hit him under the arm with a lamp which he had in his hand. The two men closed, but witness was too dazed to hold the other man down. Craven danced about to say what he would do to witness. Ashurst added that he had been medically treated for the injuries.

Ashurst was subjected to a severe and lengthy cross-examination by W.L.Crawford. He said he was quite aware the Colliery Company had thoroughly investigated the trouble and decided to take no action. Ashurst denied any knowledge of defendant extreme deafness caused by the war, and also denied a suggestion by the defence that he threatened to treat Craven as “defendant” had been treated by the Germans.

Mr Crawford: have you offered a man named Baxendale five shillings to come here and give false evidence? – No

If I call witnesses to prove that you used bad language, I suppose that would not be true – I used no bad language.

A miner named Baxendale, was working in the same stall, said that Ashurst never used bad language to defendant. He did not actually see the assault. He was called away, returned and saw Ashurst in a dazed state.

Cross-examined by Mr Allen on the suggestion that he had been bribed, witness said that he had been offered five shillings by Ashurst who gave no reason for asking him to take the money. Witness refused the money.

Did Ashurst suggest you should come here and commit perjury? – No

At this stage Mr Crawford remarked that apparently there are been a misunderstanding. He withdrew the suggestion.

Defendant’s version was that complainant made insulting remarks on his deafness. Complainant remarked that there was no work for defendant who stripped, and said “if you don’t find me work somebody else will.”

Complainant found a task, and later made complaints about the way in which the work was being carried out.

Craven said that if complainant did not cease cursing him he would go and see the manager.

Witness asked Baxendale if he would go and see to the chalking of a tub, and the two men were left alone. Complainant made more insulting remarks about Craven’s deafness, and put his arm round witnesses neck and pulled him to the ground, with the remark, “I will give you more than the Germans gave you, you deaf cow.”

Ashurst kicked him several times in the thighs. Both men rose to their feet and Ashurst fell against the pack side. Witness said to Ashurst: “I ready for you now,” meaning that he would defend himself. Ashurst then walked away.

Witness questioned on his injury said that he had cuts and scratches on the legs. He said that Ashhust refused to show his bruises. Following the investigation the Colliery Company decided to take no action against witness who denied that he hit Ashurst with a lamp.

George Carpenter, who was working in a stall from 20 to 30 yards away from that occupied by the two men, stated that he heard the swearing by Ashurst. Complainant a fortnight ago threatened to fight witness. Carpenter added that Craven did not reply to the bad language

Asked to give the language alleged to have been used by complainant, witness said he did not care to repeat the words.

Mr Crawford, amid general laughter, said “Carpenter, your modesty does credit to Denaby.”

The case was dismissed.