Orchard Raiders at Conisboro’

October 1929

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 11, 1929

Orchard Raiders at Conisboro’

That they ran away from the constable because they thought they were being chased by a gang was the excuse put forward by a number of Conisborough lads who were summoned at Doncaster on Tuesday for doing wilful damage to pear trees, the property of Francis Ogley, at Conisboro’, on September 12.

Defendants were Richard Garside (17), a haulage hand; Walter Griffiths (16), a pony driver; John T. Bagley (15), a haulage band; Chas. C. Bond (14), pony driver; Fred Bright (14), a pony driver; Clifford Rigby (14), pony driver, and Robert Tudor (14), a haulage hand.

Defendants pleaded “Not guilty.”

It was stated by P.c. Thompson that while on duty at Corisboro’ at 9 p.m. on September 12, he saw the defendants cross the road and go into Mr. Ogley’s orchard. He heard branches being broken. When he entered the orchard the boys ran away. Witness caught Tudor, and Mr. Ogley gave chase in his motor car and caught the other defendants. When caught, they said that they had not taken any fruit, though there was plenty on the ground.

Answering one of the defendants, the constable denied that he had a stick.

The lads were warned by the chairman (Mr. Mark Nokes) and fined 7s. 6d. each with the exception of Tudor, whose mother appeared for him, and stated that he was her sole support.