Wilful Damage by Youths

Robert dainty, David Westwood, Bartholomew Prendergast, James Dalton, Joseph Flannerty, Bertie Beavers, Richard Whitehouse, Michael Cowan, and John Briggs, of Denaby, all pony drivers at Denaby Main colliery, were summoned for doing wilful damage to growing peas, on the 29^th at the property of Joseph Dykes, farmer, Mexborough.

Mr. Verity appeared for the prosecution.

Police constable Webber stated that on 29th July, about a 7:45 at night, he was on the road leading from Melton to Mexborough. He saw the nine defendants in Mr. Dykes pea field, pulling and trampling peas down. They were filling their pockets, but as soon as they saw witness they bolted and swum across the river, and by so doing they got away.

Prendergast denied been at the field at all.

Mr. Dykes said that for some time considerable damage had been done to his peas, and he put up noticeboards. The defendants had been in the field he went and found that the fence had been broken, and peas strewn about. He estimated the damage at 6d. each. He had no desire to press the case, as all the boys appeared penitent and promised not to offend again.

The bench, as the case was not pressed, ordered the defendant to pay the costs 9s. 6d. and 6d. each in damages.