Resisting The Police

Thos. Williams and Wm. Jones, labourers, of no fixed address, were charged with resisting P.C. Jarvis while in the execution of his duty at Conisborough on Good Friday.

P.C. Jarvis said that he was taking a prisoner to the Conisborough police-station, when the defendants followed. They asked him where he was going to take his prisoner to, and he said “the police station.” They said “You are not.” They took hold of him and pulled him away, whilst Jones said, “If it had been dark you would not have held him two minutes, and you would have copped it hot.” He struggled with his prisoner for a quarter of an hour, the two men assisting the prisoner. Other constables coming up they went away. Ambler went after one of them, and caught him, and the other man slipped Parker. Some time after he was in New Denaby in plain clothes, and saw the other prisoner and seized him. He had changed his clothes.

Prisoner Jones said when he met the policeman the second time he had not changed his clothes. P.C. Parker said on Good Friday afternoon he was called out about 1.15, and saw Jarvis and three or four navvies with him. Jarvis said the men had tried to prevent an arrest, and Williams said, “You are not going to take the man.” Another policeman came and then the men ran away. Williams was caught, but Jones got away for a time. Jones said they had had some beer, or would not have done anything of the sort.

The Bench said if they had been charged with assaulting the police they would have been sent to gaol. As it was they would be fined 30s., including costs, or 14 days. Prisoners said they had no money.