Leeds Mercury – Wednesday 28 August 1918

Cruelty To A Horse

Animal Dies Through Brutal Ill-Treatment.

Reginald G. N. Pears, horsekeeper, Goldthorpe, was charged, at Doncaster yesterday, with having stolen two sheaves wheat, the property of Robert J. Jackson, of the Manor Farm, Goldthorpe, value 2s.

He declared that picked them up on the road between Marr and Hickleton, but the evidence was a contrary nature. The police stated that when they told him would reported, he replied, as you like. Six months in prison will do me good.”

Defendant was further charged with cruelty to a horse. Defendant beat the horse in a most merciless fashion with a whipstock. As a result of the treatment the animal pitched on its head and rolled over. It took eight men to get it on to its feet. It had wounds on its fetlock, head, and haunches. It also had twenty weals the hindquarters, which defendant admitted he had done with the whip. One the wounds was a punctured one and the police accused the man of striking the pony with a piece of iron. The animal died a few hours later.

On the charge theft he was committed for one month. As to the cruelty, the Chairman said it was the worst case ever heard in the Court. For this would sentenced to two months, run consecutively with the other sentence. He would also be committed for a month in respect a fine he had not previously paid. Defendant thus has to serve four months in all.