Mexborough & Swinton Times — September 10, 1904
Strong Remarks From the Bench
Joseph Shaw, miner, Denaby, was brought up at the instance of Ann Cocksedge for breaking his bond to keep the peace.
Complainant said that she was going quietly home at 10-15 p.m., on the 29th August, when she saw the defendant’s dog crouched against the wall to avoid him. He had passed her, but she was observed, and he then returned and took her by the throat. She bit his finger, and struck him in the face with her umbrella. She fell on the ground twice.
Defendant: That’s because you were blind drunk. Didn’t you say “you’d either make me break my bond or clear out?”
P.C. Wailes was called, and said that when complainant spoke to him she was under the influence of drink.
The Chairman said that they were compelled to dismiss the case, but at the same time characterised the defendant as one of the brawniest ruffians he had seen—one of the most promising gentlemen of his stamp that he had ever met with in his experience.