Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 05 September 1902
Wilful Damage.
A Sequel to the Howden Assault Case
A sequel to the Hoyden assault case a few weeks ago was heard at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court, on Tuesday, with Major Dove the chair, and Mr. G. W. Lawton, when two boys named John Bullingham and Isaac Bruin, were summoned for doing wilful damage, viz., by breaking two panes of glass in the house of Wm. Henry Howden, on the 18th August.
Mr. W.M. Gichard appeared to prosecute and Mr. G. W. Andrews defended.
Mr. Gichard stated that both lads were summoned for doing wilful damage by each breaking a pane of glass in a window in the house occupied by Wm. Henry Howden, at Denaby, on the 18th August. At about 8.30 at night the two defendants were seen by witnesses in front of Howden’s house, and each were in possession of a catapult. They were in front of the home, and one of them (Brain) discharged a missile which broke a pane of glass in the bedroom window. The lad then handed the catapult to Bellingham, who then discharged another missile from it, and which again broke a pane of glass in the bedroom window. The only reason that they could suggest for such a proceeding was that Howden was a man who had been to work at the time when the other men would not work and on that day he (Howden) had been subject to some rather severe treatment at the hands of some of tome who had formed a procession. They desired that such proceedings should be put a stop to.
Mary Brooke, living at 73. Balby street, Denaby, said she was housekeeper for Bowden, and she was in the house on the 18th August. As she heard that some lads were going to smash all the windows in the place she went upstairs. She saw the two defendants in front of the house. It would be between 8.30 and 9 o’clock. and she would be about ten yards away. She saw them deliberately pull catapults out of their pockets and deliberately shoot them up at the window, where she was. Bruin shot first, but both boys shot at the windows.
Cross examined by Mr. Andrews, witness stated that there was about a dozen other lads in the street. She was sure that Bruin was there.
William Henry Bowden said that on that date he had been to work, and had been followed home by a large crowd of people. He was in the house in the evening and saw both the defendants in front of the house about ten yards away. The damage done by them amounted 5s. Altogether four panes of glass were broken.
Police constable Carter, stationed at Denaby, on special duty, stated that on the 18th August he was on duty, when he saw the defendants in front of Howden’s house at about five minutes past nine o’clock. He had no doubt that they were both there. They tried to run away when he went towards them.
Mr. Andrews, speaking on behalf of Bruin, said that he was prepared to prove that he was with a Mrs. Oliver from 7.30 to 9.50 p.m. that evening. He would call a number of witnesses.
Bullingham said that the windows were broken in the afternoon, and at a quarter-past three o’clock he was passing the bottom of Balby street when he heard some lads betting “cigs” on whether they could break a window in Howden’s house and he saw a lad named “Peg,” throw a stone and break the window.
Bruin was sworn and he stated that was 13 years of age. On the 18th August he was at the bottom of Balby street, at about six o’clock. He stayed there with a lot of other lads until “the dray came from which the women were to speak from.” The women were holding a meeting that evening on the piece of waste land at the bottom of Balby street. The dray came about 6 30. And then the speech-making commenced, and finally the meeting broke up about 7.20. The women then formed a procession, and he went with them, and they went to Conisboro’. They left Denaby at about 7.30, and got to Consboro’ about ten minutes to eight o’clock. He stayed at Conisboro’ about two hours. He was with Mrs Oliver all the time. When they got home Howden’s windows were broken. A policeman was sat on the wall close by. Mrs. Kitchener was spreaking at the women’s meeting. There were a lot of “bobbies” about and they commenced knitting. When the procession halted the “bobbies” said “March.”( Laughter). He did not know what was said by the speakers.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gichard, he said his father would not let him have a catapult.
Mrs. Oliver, wife of Fred Oliver, gave evidence to the effect that the lad Bruin was with her all the evening; and Annie Faulkner, Mary Elizabeth Perry, all gave similar evidence.
David Staley, step-father to the lad Bruin. said he outside his house evening at dusk, when he saw youths throw a stone at Howden’s bedroom window and break a pane of glass. His step-son was not there.
The Chairman said that they believed that the lads did throw stones. Bullingham would be fined 5s. and the costs, 10s., and ordered to pay the damage, 17s. altogether. He had five preious convictions against him. Bruin, who had been before would have to pay 2s 6d. and costs 10s., and the damage 2s. 6d., 15s. in all.