Mexborough Constable Assaulted by a Denaby Collier

November 1881

Mexborough and Swinton Times, November 18.

A Mexborough Constable Assaulted by a Denaby Collier.



John Rogers, Collier, of Denaby, was summoned for assaulting police Constable Cade, whilst in the execution of his duty at Mexborough on 8 October.

Mr Hall appeared for the defendant.

The officer, stated that at 930 on the day named he saw a man near the Red Lion Inn, High Street Mexborough in a drunken state. He was also disorderly and making use of bad language. He requested the prisoner to go away, but he refused, and continued the disturbance. When he was about to take the prisoner into custody, he struck him several violent blows on his chest. A number of his companions then came up and rescued Rogers. Witness was knocked on the ground whilst down and was severely kicked. When he got up he saw Rogers and told him that he should lock him up for assaulting him. After taking all of the man, he was again struck on the chest.

He (the officer) was knocked down a second time by the defendant’s companions who severely kicked him. He however stuck to Rogers and got on his feet again. Witness whilst holding Rogers was again kicked. He was bruised from head to foot, and was very badly hurt.

By Mr Hall: The man took part in the assault. He did more than strike me on the breast.

Elizabeth Fairburn spoke to seeing Cade apprehend the man. The officer was kicked by several men. She saw Rogers fall over a piece of wood and heard a cry that a man had broken his leg. At the time that the man fell, the officer was on the ground.

Lord Auckland complemented Mrs Fairburn on the precise manner in which she had given their evidence, and wished others of her sex at Mexborough would copy her example in this respect.

William Booth, a Collier, of Denaby, also spoke to the assault.

Evidence was then called by Mr Hall, in order to show that the officer was mistaken in supposing that Rogers was the man who was making the disturbance, and that, in seizing Rogers, he was taking hold of the wrong man. That was the cause of the assault on the policeman.

After the magistrateshad consulted with each other for several minutes, Lord Auckland remarked that the benchhad not the slightest doubt that Rogers had interfered with the officer whilst in the execution of his duty. Cade had undoubtedly been seriously assaulted and evidence went toshow that Rogers had taken his part in the affray. In this district the policemen must be supported in the discharge of their duties, and it should be understood that for an assault of this kind, a man, rendered himself liable to a penalty of £20 or six months imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Taking into consideration the suffering which the prisonerhad experienced, in consequence of his broken leg, the bench had decided to fine him 40 shillings and the costs, which came to £1 1s 7d and they looked upon it as a very light penalty





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