Mexborough and Swinton Times April 2, 1926

Street Betting at Conisborough
Toy Pistol as Warning Signal.

A small pistol which is used to warn persons receiving bets of the approach of the police was produced at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Saturday morning, when Percy Riley, a Mexborough miner, was charged with receiving street bets.

On April 9, PC Forsyth saw Riley at the corner of New Street, Mexborough. During 15 minutes observation he saw four men and something to either. As he approached Riley he heard the report of a pistol. Witness followed Riley to the brickworks, and Riley stated “You are not sharp enough this time. I have got no slips on me.”

The officer added that he found two slips in Riley’s possession. He produced a small toy pistol and told the court that this was fired to one prisoner of the approach of the police.

Riley declared he had never taken a bet in his life. He must have been mistaken for his brother, who had been before the court Street betting.

The Clerk (Mr E. W. Pettifer): I suppose you are not wearing your brother’s close?

Riley was fined 5 pounds, the chairman (Mr Mark Nokes) stating that he must not tell a similar case against Edward Mason, also a Mexborough miner, was adjourned for a week to enable them to call witnesses.

The police officers alleged that on April 9 they saw Riley receiving something from two men. Mason met a boy who took a wallet from him and ran away. Prisoner had no slips in his possession, but the police officers found 10 half crowns, 2 shilling pieces, 40 shillings in sixpenny pieces and 10 pennies.

Defendant submitted that he had never taken a bet in his life, and also denied that he had received something from two men.