Mexborough and Swinton Times January 29, 1926

Broke from Hospital
Conisborough Scarlet Fever Patients Serious Offence.

While suffering from scarlet fever,  William E Topham, a Conisborough haulage hand, escaped from the isolation hospital at Conisborough and cycled to Doncaster.

Topham was charged at Doncaster on Saturday with exposing himself whilst suffering from scarlet fever.

Mr Spencer Baker, who brought the proceedings on behalf of the Conisborough Urban Council, explained that the case was the first of its kind in the area. Defendant was admitted to the hospital suffering from scarlet fever on November 23, and was treated for four weeks. When the authorities were getting him ready for admission to the discharge block he escaped from the hospital, and went to his lodgings, a butchers shop in Church Street. There he obtained a bicycle and rode to Doncaster, mixing freely with the people.

As soon as possible after Topham’s escape, Mr Thirlwall (Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector to the Council) took steps to secure his readmission. Defendant was taken back to the hospital in an ambulance, and discharged two days later.

Defendant declared that there way he was treated was out of all reason. Every parcel he had was opened, and the eggs were taken out.

The chairman (Mr M. Nokes) said he had had friends who had been in the hospital, and he had been on the board. People suffering from defendant’s complaint were kept without food. If defendant could not have it, the food would be given to patients who could.

Defendant had made a serious mistake in leaving the hospital, and must pay 40 shillings