Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 16 December 1892
“Would Knock His Brains Out”
William Smith, cow-keeper, Conisborough, was summoned by Thomas Stacey, farmer and milk dealer, Conisborough, for using threats to him on December 4th.
Mr. Baddiley appeared for complainant, and Mr. Tovey for the defendant.
Complainant said on the day named he was going round Conisborough with his milk when he met defendant who said “he would knock his brains out.” He drove away from the defendant as soon as he could as he was in bodily fear of him. The defendant’s conduct was very violent; when their carts were coming in opposite directions he had to sometimes drive on the footpath to avoid a collision with defendant. The threat had arisen out of a complaint by defendant as to complainant’s cattle having got into defendant’s turnip field and doing damage. He had offered to let defendant have some more turnips in the place of those the cattle had eaten, and defendant had fetched some of the swedes, before time when he used the threats. Defendant had been so violent in his threats that he had felt some qualms about going out after dark on that account.
Cross-examined, they had once had a discussion about raising the price of milk that had not ended quite satisfactorily. Defendant had complained also that he was not satisfied with the turnips and would want more. He had not called defendant a “liar, lounger, and skulk.” He had known defendant ever since he was a boy, but had not been friendly with him for 14 years, in fact he had been afraid of him.
Mr. Tovey What is the reason you bear such animosity?
Complainant: I don’t want to tell the court.
Mr. Baddiley then pressed complainant to tell the court as it would not affect him. Complainant then said that the defendant had waylaid his (complainant’s) father-in-law and got six months for the assault.
Defendant: Its a lie. I got a month.
Defendant was then called and denied he had any ill-feeling against the complainant, and he had none against the father-in-law. The ill feeling was on the part of the complainant. He denied having used the threats intimated.
Cross examined by Mr. Baddiley defendant said the father-in law was dead.
Mr. Baddiley: And you went to prison for striking the old man ?
Defendant : He had a young man with him.
Mr. Baddiley: How often have you been here?
Defendant: That has nothing to do with it.
Mr. Baddiley: That is for the court to say. Have you been here half-a dozen times?
Defendant: Perhaps.
Mr. Baddiley said defendant once had to pay 13s. for an assault on the police.
The Chairman said the defendant might have received some provocation, but he would be bound over in the sum of £5 to keep the peace for six months.