Mexborough and Swinton Times, June 21, 1929
Charge Against Motorist
Remarkable Case at Wath
Jack Mason, 28 engineer, of The Caravan, Bridle Path. Goldthorpe, was at Rotherham West Riding Police Court, on Monday, sentenced to three months imprisonment for having been drunk in charge of a motor car at High Street, Wath, on June 14th. He was also fined 10s. on a summons for having driven without a licence, and 10s. for not saving had a rear identification plate.
P.c. Flint said at 3.55 p.m. on Friday, June 14th, he was at the end of Moor Road and High Street, Wath, when he saw a motor car driven by Mason pass him. The car was being driven in a zig-zag manner. He called to Mason to stop, but he failed to do so. He followed Mason to the Service Garage, High Street, where car had pulled up. Mason was leaning in front of the car over the radiator. He attempted to stand up, but could not do so without holding on to the car. His voice was husky and thick, and he smelt strongly of drink.
He told Mason that he was drunk and that he would be taken into custody.
Mason was conveyed to Wath Police Station. At the station Mason was cautioned and charged, and in reply to the charge he said, “Me drunk ! No never! Not with a car ! I want to see a doctor
He later said: shall get three months for this. I have never paid a fine in my life. I have done penal-servitude, and I can do three months on my hands. I never pay. I always do time. The country has spent pounds in sending me up and down.”
Mason was examined by Doctor Johnson, of Wath, and afterwards released on bail. Witness asked Mason his name and address which he refused to give. He made their presence of getting dragons licence, but he had not got one in his possession. He said, “I have a licence at home, somewhere.” The car carried no rear identification plate but a number of chalk signed. The numbers had been nearly rubbed off.
Twice during the evidence Mason said he objected to some part of the statement he was alleged to have made.
In answer to questions put by Mason, the witness agreed that he (Mason) told the man who drove the car to the police station are to drive it. Witness further agreed that Mason also helped to move the car into the police station yard.
Sergeant Galloway said at 4:10 PM he saw Mason at Wath Police Station. Mason was drunk, and smelt strongly of drink. His voice was thick. Witness put him on his feet, but he was unsteady and staggered about. He became obstinate and insolent and refused to give his name and address. Use bad language. Witness telephoned for the divisional police surgeon but was unable to get him, and he got in communication with Doctor Bailey at West Melton, was also unable to come to the station.
Horace Pickton, barman at the Red Lion Hotel, Wath, said about 3 pm his attention was drawn by hearing swearing and shouting in the billiard room. Witness heard Mason using bad language and told him to shut up or clear out. As he was leaving just after 3 o’clock, he asked to be supplied with two bottles of beer. Witness refused to serve him and told him he had had enough. Witness did not think Mason wasin a condition to drive a car.
Samuel Bowskill, miner, of 5, Oak Avenue, Wath said about two minutes to three, he was inside the Red Lion Hotel in the tap room, where he saw Mason, who was shouting and using bad language.
He heard Pickton tell him he would be put out if he did not shut up. Mason said he had come from London and that he had to be back in London by 8-30 p.m.
In answer to a question by Mason, witness said “If I went a ride with you in your car I should have thought I was on the figure eight at Blackpool.”
In a statement to the magistrates, Mason said he had had four bottles of stout the day in question but he was not drunk. He had chalked the figures on the rear of the car, but the chalk was practically washed off by rain.
Mason had five previous convictions but none for drunkenness.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 18 June 1929
Predicted His Sentence.
Goldthorpe Motorist Drunk in Car.
Jack Mason, engineer, The Caravan, Bridle Path, Goldthorpe, was sent to prison for three months at Rotherham West Riding Court, yesterday, on a charge of having been drunk in charge of motor-car in High Street, Wath, on June 14th.
Police-constable Flint said the car was driven in an erratic and zig-zag manner, and witness called on the driver to stop. He did not do so, and the officer followed him to a garage in High Street. Defendant was drunk and could not stand steady unless he was holding the car.
When charged, Mason replied: “Me, drunk. —No, never. I want to see doctor. He later said: shall get three months for this. I have never paid a fine in my life. I have done penal-servitude, and I can do three months on my hands. I never pay. I always do time. The country has spent pounds in sending me up and down.”
Sergeant Galloway said that after examining the defendant, the doctor said to him: “Yes you are under the influence of drink, but not incapable of taking care of yourself. Defendant said he was not drunk, and had only had four drinks.
George Ernest Swift, Goldthorpe, who was riding with the defendant, said Mason was sober