Mexborough and Swinton Times November 15, 1929
Touchy About Their Characters
Allegations against each other were made by two Denaby miners, William Bell and John Dunighan, Tuesday, when they were summoned for obstructing the highway at Conisborough by fighting .
Bell pleaded “Not guilty,” and Dunighan “Guilty.”
P.c. Dobson said that on October 25th, about 10.10 p.m., he saw a crowd of over 60 people near the Fox Hotel, Conisborough, and on going to investigate saw Bell and Dunighan fighting. The crowd completely obstructed the road.
Bell said that the constable “bore malice against him.” Dunighan set on to him and he had no chance of defending himself. Immediately they came out of the hotel, he was struck to the ground. Dunighan had caused trouble by making allegations against his character. Since the fight, Dunighan’s wife had been to him and apologised.
Dunighan said that Bell struck him with a bottle of beer as they were leaving the hotel. He also asked him if he was “going with a certain woman.” Bell had caused trouble between him (Dunighan) and his wife by making accusations that he went about with another woman, “There are about eight or nine with Bell in a gang,” he added, “and they were going to wallop me that night.”
Bell said that Dunighan was trying to scandalise him by alleging that he was constantly with a certain woman, and, Dunighan replied, “This man is a good ‘un. He scandalises himself.”
Bell: I appeal against what has been said about my character.
The case against Bell was dismissed and Dunighan was fined 20 s.