Prison for Attack on Police – Gangs Not Allowed at Denaby

August 1938

Sheffield Independent – Monday 15 August 1938

Gangs Not Allowed at Denaby – Bench Warning

Prison for Attack on Police

Mr. Mark Nokes, chairman  of Doncaster West Riding magistrates on Saturday, in sending two Denaby brothers to prison for assaulting a police officer, said there seemed to be a gang growing at Denaby, and the Bench were not going to allow gangs to exist, neither were they going to allow anybody to punch police officers.

John Pinder Pears (23), miner, Annerley street, Denaby, was sent to prison for nine months, and his brother, Ernest Pears (25), of the same address was sent for six months.

Following the sentence the mother of the defendants began to cry, and the chairman, addressing her said she would be looked after while they were away. They would see she did not suffer.

Threats Charge

An officer brought to the front of the court a man who said he was another brother, William Henry Pears, and who was immediately charged with using threats to one of the witnesses. He was bound over for 12 months.

It was alleged that the two brothers charged with the assault caused a disturbance, and when Police-constable Archer spoke to them and told them to behave themselves, John struck the officer and then Ernest jumped on his back and held him while the other struck him. They later ran away, but later Ernest surrendered, the other being arrested in Staffordshire.

Helped Police

Among witnesses called was Dennis MacDonald, a lorry driver, who went the officer’s assistance. The defendants denied that they were drunk or that they assaulted the officer. John Pears had been previously convicted of assault.

At the conclusion of the case MacDonald was thanked by the chairman and by Supt. Gordon for the assistance he had rendered.