Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 07 September 1883
Highway Offence
Alfred Palmer, engineer, Conisboro’, was summoned for a highway offence.
Geo. Powis, coachman, said on the 25th ult. he was with his wife and daughter at Warmsworth, when the defendant, who was riding on a bicycle, came along and injured his daughter on the side, breaking her umbrella. Defendant refused at first to give his name and address, but told them his name before he went away.
Emily Powis, daughter of the last witness, said she was walking along the road when the defendant came along the path on a bicycle, which ran against her back, bruised her leg, and broke her umbrella. He was not at all willing to give his name and address, and told her that he had a right to ride on the path.
Defendant said during the summer months he generally rode from Conisboro’ to Doncaster. As he passed Warmsworth he came upon a flock of sheep, which covered the road. He was riding at the rate of 10 or 12 miles an hour, and he could not avoid riding on the footpath. He managed to escape two of the three persons on the footpath, but the bicycle just caught Miss Powis and threw her down. It was purely an accident.
The Bench said they were of opinion that the occurrence was an accident, but as the defendant did not offer an apology and did not pay for the broken umbrella he would be fined 10s., and be ordered to pay the costs, amounting to £1 4s.