Mexborough and Swinton Times January 14, 1938
Knife Threat Alleged
Story of Fracas In Pit
Deputy Assaulted
An allegation that a Denaby Main deputy was threatened with a jackknife by signal repairer was made at Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Tuesday, when Ernest Cormack, Dollcliffe Rd, Mexborough, was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment for behaving in a violent manner in a mine.
Mr A.S.. Furniss prosecuted for the Denaby Main Colliery, and defendant was represented by Mr A.E.Maith.
Mr Furniss said defendant had been employed for many years at the colliery, and held a responsible position.
“I cannot imagine,” said Mr Furniss, “there could be any reason for any man behaving above ground as this man behaved below.” On December 17 he was repairing certain signal wires near to what was known as number 234 junction, which was a place leading off fives junction in which there was an engine house. In the engine house it had been the habit of the defendant to leave his coat.
“You had my Apple.”
Mr W.J.Hardiman, a deputy, was carrying out his ordinary duties some distance away firing shots. Suddenly, after he had shouted “Clear,” defendant came up to the deputy said to him, “You had my apple.” Hardiman said, “Nay man,” and noted that Cormack was in a terrible temper.
Defendant knocked into the ground, kicked him and got him by the throat. The deputy called for assistance and when he got up said, “What’s on earth’s the matter with you.” Defendant’s room his lamp at Hardiman but Mace. Defendant using filthy language. Men tried to talk to defendant, and he was told to be careful and reminded he was in a pit.
Defendant then pulled out a knife and was about to attempt to ‘stick’ the deputy. “Luckily,” went on Mr Furniss, “other people interfered in the deputy then made off. He was followed for some distance by this man. The deputy and injuries to his ribs and throat and he was in bed under the doctor for three days. He was away from work from the 17th to the following Tuesday.
Only Explanation
The only explanation defendant had given to the Management is that someone, he alleged, went into the engine house and stolen an apple from his pocket. If it was necessary, the deputy strongly denied he had anything to do with that at all. This was a part of the pit where many people were working, and whatever ire defendant might have had against somebody for a nasty trick, why he should peak on this deputy past comprehension. Probably the assault referred back to defendant’s statement (“I have been waiting for some time”); since the deputy had to report Cormack nine years previously.
William J Hardiman, of 16, Dolcliffe up Rd, Mexborough, said he had been a deputy for 13 years. On the day he did not know how Cormack was working, and although he had to pass the engine house he did not go into it. During the assault defendant said to him “I have got you of old.” He was more like a maniac. When he pulled out the jackknife he said, “Say you haven’t had it; tell a lie, up and I will stick this through you.”
Gerald Croydon, Doncaster Road, Denaby’s, said he was a century working with Hardiman. Defendant came and stood in the manner and to the firing was over, they went to the deputy and struck him on the jaw. “I was flabbergasted” said the witness. “He was in a mad way and white with passion.” Hardiman did not use any provocative language.
Cross-examined, according denied that a screwdriver produced by the defence was what he saw and mistook for a jackknife.
John William Overton, who came up to the scene during the assault, corroborated.
On Fruit Diet
Mr Mace said defendant was on a fruit diet, and is close contains lunch, and Apple. This old only occurred under great provocation. Defendant said the deputy was the only man who went into the engine house at all. Cormack admitted striking the deputy, but said a mountain had been made out of a mole hill stop defendant had previously born quite a good character, and so far as the incident of been reported nine years ago was concerned, he said he had never been reported and had no feeling against Hardiman.
In the witness box, Cormack said he knew the deputy had been to the engine house to telephone, because a switch was altered. He stuck Hardiman on the jaw and then went away. His screwdriver fell to the floor from his belt and he picked it up and replaced it. He then walked to the pit bottom, because he expected to be sent out of the pit. Since December 17 he had been suspended.
Cross-examined, Cormack denied he said “Tell a lie and this is through you,” and said, the witness were conspiring against the truth because they were frightened of losing their jobs.
“Serious Case.”
Announcing sentence of three months imprisonment, the chairman Mr Mark L Noakes, said they were not taking into considerations defendant betting offences. But they were taking the consideration the seriousness of the case. The defendant was old enough to know the regulations of a coal mine. “This man,” he said, “went and deliberately struck a man on the jaw, and injured his throat, legs, thigh, and back; he struck with a lamp, although there was no proof that he caught the deputy. We will leave out of consideration the jackknife. It was immaterial to the bench what it was.”
Leeds Mercury – Wednesday 12 January 1938
Gaol For Violence In Pit
Mexboro’ Man Who Knocked Deputy Down
At Doncaster, to-day, Ernest Cormack colliery worker, of Mexborough, was sent to prison for three months for violent behaviour in Denaby colliery on December 17.
Mr. A. S. Furniss (prosecuting for the colliery company), said Cormack accused deputy of taking an apple from his jacket pocket in an engine-house underground. The deputy replied he knew nothing about it.
It was alleged that Cormack then knocked him down, kicked him in the ribs, struck at him with his pit lamp and threatened him with a knife.
Cormack said he simply smacked the deputy across the mouth and walked away. He denied the other allegations.