Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 10 April 1877
The Denaby Main Riots.
The Assault of a Witness.
At the Rotherham Police Court yesterday, before Colonel St. Leger (in the chair), and Messrs. H. Jubb, J. Yates, and W. S. Cadman, Samuel Hopkiuson (one of the defendants in the 122 intimidation and unlawfully following cases from Denaby Main, and who on Saturday was fined £10 and 7s. 6d. costs), was charged with assaulting John Wilson, of Denaby, at Rotherham, on the 6th inst. He was also charged under “peace warrant,” by John Goulding, of Denaby, with threatening him at Rotherham on the same day.
Mr. F. Parker-Rhodes prosecuted; the prisoner was not defended by a solicitor.
Mr. Rhodes said the warrants under which the prisoner bad been apprehended had been issued in consequence of his conduct during and after the sitting of the Court on Friday last, when he and number of other persons from Denaby Main were charged with intimidation. As the representative of the Denaby Main Colliery Company, did not wish to pile conviction upon conviction, and to harass the men who had been brought there, but he should be doing less than his duty if he did not bring every case of that kind before their Worships.
John Goulding said that he was miner, living at Denaby. and was witness at the court Friday, when he gave evidence against the prisoner and a number of others. He remembered being on the steps outside the court about two o’clock on Friday, and seeing the prisoner on the other side of the square. The defendant came across the square to him, cursed him, and said if he would come into the street he would break his _____ head. Prisoner also said he would meet him when he was going home in the dark.
Police sergeant Stringer then took the defendant inside the court. On Friday night he and the other witnesses stayed in lodgings in Rotherham all night. On Saturday he took out a warrant, and the prisoner was apprehended at the rising of the court. that day, in consequence of what the prisoner said, complainant was afraid that he would do him some bodily harm. He was afraid to go home on Friday night, or he should not have stopped in Rotherham.
The Chairman (to prisoner): Now, you have heard what he has said; do you want to ask him any questions?
The Prisoner: No, sir. I was drunk. I do not remember anything about it.
Detective G. S. Hodgson corroborated Goulding’s testimony. Mr. Rhodes then called evidence on the charge of assault.
John Wilson said he was a miner living Denaby. On Friday last, he gave evidence against the defendant and others on certain charges which were then before the magistrates. About half past five o’clock that evening, after he had left the court, he was proceeding down Bridgegate, when the prisoner overtook him, and said, How did you like the evidence to-day?” He replied, Oh, middling.”
The prisoner then clenched his fist, put it up to him, and said, “ How would you like this?” He had not time to reply before the prisoner struck him in the month, and knocked him fiat on the street. Blood flowed from his mouth and nose. While he was on the ground the prisoner said, “I will knock your brains out.”
Witness got up and returned to the Police Station, where he saw Police-constable Jowett, to whom he subsequently pointed out the prisoner. He was afraid to give further evidence unless he had protection.
Police-constable Jowett said that he saw the prisoner at the time named by the last witness. He was under the influence of drink, but in a condition to know well enough what he was doing. When the complainant came to him he appeared have had a severe blow, and to be in fear.
Police-sergeant Stringer said he apprehended the prisoner on Saturday evening as he was leaving the court. The prisoner was under the influence of drink at the time. The prisoner, after having been cautioned in the usual manner, said he was drunk at the time, or he should not have done it.
He was then committed to take his trial at the next quarter sessions.