Trouble at the Alma Inn

January 1900

Mexborough Times, January 19.

Trouble at the Alma Inn, Conisborough.

William Featherstone Martin, a pit labourer, of Conisborough, was summoned for having been drunk and disorderly and having refused to quit the Alma Inn, Conisborough, when requested to do so. He was also summoned for having assaulted the landlord, Arthur Moody.

The defendant did not answer to the summonses.

Mr W Baddeley, solicitor, Doncaster, appeared for the prosecution, and he said the defendant went into the Alma Inn, on the evening of Sunday, the 7th inst. He was in the best room. He commenced to quarrel with a another man, and wanted to fight.

Mr Moody heard a disturbance, and went into the room and turned the defendant out. The defendant returned, and Mr Moody again ordered him to leave the room. He refused to do so and struck him a very violent blow on the head. After that Mr Moody still wanted him to go away, and he sent a servant for the police.

Before a policeman could get there the defendant had gone. The defendant was perfectly sober.

Arthur Moody gave evidence in support of Mr Baddeley’s statement. When he put the defendant out. He asked for his hat, and the witness replied, “Yes, you can have your hat.” The defendant then rushed at him and struck him on the chest. Though he asked the defendant several times to go he refused.

John Kemp and Thomas Mitchell, both of whom had been summoned to give evidence, also spoke as to the defendant’s conduct. Kemp said he saw the beginning of the disturbance. The defendant was going round with his hat when someone said, “spit on it.” The defendant then began to cause a bother and the upset the table and the beer glasses.

A fine of 10 shillings and the costs in each summons was imposed.

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