Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 16 January 1899
Working Unfit Horse At Mexborough.
At the Doncaster West Riding Police Court, on Saturday, George Edwards, farm servant, Denaby, was charged with working an unfit horse at Mexborough, on the 8th inst., and Walter Simpson, farmer, also of Denaby, was summoned for allowing the animal to be worked in that state.
Police-constable Hodson deposed to seeing the pony in a poor condition, and walking lame. On examination he found a number of sores and wounds of old standing under saddle, and altogether the horse was pitiable condition.
When the defendants subsequently confronted each other, they made contradictory statements to culpability.
The Bench considered the blame rested with Simpson, and ordered him to pay 20s. and 16s. 6d. costs, while Edwards (a boy of 14 or 15) was ordered to pay the costs, 16s 6d.