Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 15 March 1909
Offences In The Mine
A Pony Driver’s Brutality.
On Saturday, at Doncaster, Thomas Croft, pony driver, of New Conisborough, was summoned for cruelty to a pony in the Casey Mine on March Ist.
He pleaded guilty. Mr. F. Allen, for the prosecution, said the defendant was driving a pony which was drawing two tubs, when, through the tubs stopping, the animal became entangled in the gears.
The defendant commenced thrash the pony, and it fell. He then beat the pony unmercifully with a heavy piece of wood, the animal being so badly hurt that it had be taken to the stables for five days.
A fine of £2 and costs was imposed.
George Davis and William Walton, of Swinton and Wath respectively, were summoned for a breach of colliery rule riding a pony the underground road without permission. Davis pleaded guilty, and the case against Walton was withdrawn, this being his first offence. Davis was fined 20s.
Fred Morris, pony driver, of Mexboro’, pleaded guilty to a similar offence, and was ordered to pay 10s. and costs.