Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 25 February 1911
Good fellowship in the Conisborough lock-up
Amusing evidence in Denaby cases
In the remaining cases some amusement was called by the evidence of men who had spent the previous night (Monday) in police cells at Conisboro´.
Mrs Mary Anne Downes, Denaby, was the first defendant to find it necessary to call evidence from the dock. She was charged with having used obscene language, and PC Rushton told the court all about it. Maryanne said she had been guilty of many things during her life; she certainly was not guilty of using the language in the summons.
The officer spoke to being called to a drunken quarrel at her house, where there were several men and women, all drunk. The language she used to her husband and brother was simply terrible. When he told her to be quiet she said she would do as she liked, and accordingly proceeded to dance with one of the lodgers.
Mrs Downes said the constable was an awful liar, but PC Barnes said that everything Rushton said was quite true. The woman was outside her own house, using most filthy language, and had to be dragged in by a lodger.
Defendant said this constable was worse than the other one. A man of his years ought, she said, to know better. It was Mick Tracey that used all the naughty language; all she did was to bring the police, and this was her reward. “If I am telling you a lie, gentlemen, may I stiffen where I am stop, said she. She admitted swearing.
The Supt.: Hadn’t you been “boozing” with your lodger for a week?
Defendant: And hasn’t a landlady a right to get all she can out of her lodger? (Laughter.) “, Tom McMahon, her brother, she added, could free her if they allowed him to speak.
McMahon, who was in custody on another charge, was brought out of the cells, and admitted that he was summoned for an offence which occurred when the police were called to see his sister. Mary Ann never opened her lips.
The Supt.: Wasn’t it true she swore at you because you objected to the lodger?
Witness: I did not object.
Eventually Mary Anne was fined half a sovereign.
“I’ll take it out of the lodgers,” she shouted.