Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 15 May 1891
Singular Conduct at Conisbro
Thomas Deveridge, a labourer, was charged with having been drunk and disorderly at Conisborough, and also with doing wilful damage to a cell window at the Conisborough police station.
Sergeant Carr stated that the defendant acted like a wild man and that for half an hour he had to hold him down by force. The damage in the cell was done by the man after he had been made a prisoner.
The defendant denied that he was drunk, saying he had had no drink from the previous Thursday, although he acknowledged to having been drunk for three weeks previously. He said he saw an advertisement in the newspapers about the building of the Bishop’s Palace at Wakefield, and he went there to get employment. It would take three years to build the palace. The man had commenced to put in the concrete, and it was said three weeks would elapse before could be found for him (defendant). The foreman promised to send him to a man who would have him until they were ready for aim at Wakefield. He then made his way round by Barnsley and Mexborough to Conisborough where the Denaby Main Colliery Company were erecting a number of houses.
The Chairman reminded defendant that he was wandering away from the question as to whether he was guilty of the charges preferred against him.
The defendant denied the charge and said he was known for 20 miles around Barnsley and there were 11 of a family to keep. He not feel his proper sound state of mind that morning, he having been thumped about violently by the police with sticks and very nearly strangled in the cell.
He was fined 10 shillings and costs for the damage, and five shillings and costs for drunkenness, 14 days imprisonment in default.