Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 20 May 1911

Betting at Goldthorpe

Weekend Captures by Police

Clerk as Bookmaker

The Goldthorpe police are very busy repressing the gambling spirit in that sporting neighbourhood. On Monday they had a couple of cases before the West Riding magistrates at Doncaster, George Bailey, joining was charged with driving his illicit trade.

A Good Opening for business

PC Duncan stated that on Saturday afternoon he was in plain clothes along with PC Statham, and so defend in Doncaster Road. Several men handed slips of paper and money to him. PC Statham went to the back of Doncaster Road by the also Club, and witness went on to the Doncaster Road. When defendant so Statham he went across the Doncaster Road, but he had not gone far before witness caught him, and charging with street betting. He replied, “It’s right enough.”

At the Goldthorpe Police station there was found upon him £19 17s 8d, £12 being in gold. He had also 67 betting slips with the names of horses entered upon, and money items amounting to £11 3s 6d. He had also a pocketbook with 50 entries in and money entries, amounting to £5 7s, total £16.10 shillings 16. Total bets were 126.

Defendant admitted the offence. He said as there was no one betting in Goldthorpe he thought he would try to himself. Defendant added, “I am sorry to happen. It is the first time I tried, and they came up against me.” (Laughter.)

A fine of 5 pounds and costs was imposed, or a month to prison.