Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 2 May 1914

Echo of Conisboro’ Child-Murder Case

A Serious Charge.

Unfortunate Girl Accuses Brother-in-Law.

Committed to the Assizes.

A good deal more was heard of the Conisboro’ child murder case at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Wednesday, before Mr. J. W. Hodgson, presiding, and Mr. A. Horsfield, when Fred Lyons, a miner, of Conisboro’, was charged with carnally knowing a girl under the age of 16 years.

Mr. J. A. Baddiley, who prosecuted on behalf of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, explained that the case arose out of a murder charge which was recently before the court, and certain statements were made in evidence in that charge that the prisoner was responsible for the birth of the murdered infant. These were investigated by an officer connected with the Central Office of the N.S.P.C.C., and he obtained a statement from the girl and also from certain other witnesses.

The evidence of the girl, Minnie Scott, was not corroborated as to material facts, but he submitted their Worships were entitled to act without corroboration, because he should call four other witnesses besides the girl that would satisfy them, he thought, there was a strong probability of the girl’s statement being true. The witnesses would be able to prove, he thought, that the man had uninterrupted access to the girl at such times as she said he had, and that she had means of access to the house without being seen by the neighbours or with people in the street. He asked on the evidence he would call that the prisoner should be committed to take his trial at the Leeds Assizes.

Minnie Scott, of 34, Church Street, Conisboro’, at present at the Place of Detention, Barnsley, said she was 15 years of age, her birthday being on the 9th December. She lived with her mother at 34, Church Street, Conisboro’. The prisoner was her sister Edith’s husband, and they lived at No. 36. The houses were back to back, there being only a washhouse dividing the two, and it was possible for him to enter her house without going into the street.

Mr. Baddiley: Who was responsible for your trouble?

Witness: Fred Lyon.

Continuing, she said on Saturday nights her mother and the prisoner usually went to Mexboro’, generally about 6.45. Until the end of last year there was a brother Walter at home and he used to go out too about this time on Saturday nights. There were also two younger brothers living at home and they usually went out on Saturday nights, but they got home before nine. The prisoner was the only one left at home, and she was left with the prisoner’s children. When Lyons left his house he used to lock it, and bring the key into her house. He sometimes stayed in the house, and upon these occasions he used to interfere with her, the last time being Saturday night before Christmas. These relations had continued regularly ever since Easter in the previous year.

Answering the Chairman, witness said that on the occasions referred to the prisoner was never sober. He was not drunk, but he was “silly with drink.”

Thomas Bemrose, of 5, Rowena Road, Conisboro’, an insurance agent, said he began to visit the Scotts and Lyonses in August of last year. For two or three months he called regularly at the house of the Scotts on Saturday nights. He did not, however, often find Mrs. Scott at home on a Saturday night, and so he altered his calling day. Occasionally, he had seen Lyons and Minnie Scott there, with some of the children. He had occasionally seen Lyons in the house with Minnie and the children, but had seen nothing suspicious.

Margaret Ogilvy, wife of Harry Ogilvy, of 51, Church Street, Conisboro’, said she knew the girl Minnie Scott fairly well, and she was surprised when she learned of the girl’s condition. She was a nice quiet girl, and witness never saw her with any boys.

Answering Mr. Blackmore, witness said she knew prisoner was Mrs. Scott’s son-in-law, and was not surprised to see him frequently going into and coming out of Mrs. Scott’s house.

Walter Scott, of School Terrace, Conisboro’, brother of the girl Minnie Scott, said his mother usually went to the Mexboro’ market on Saturday nights. Witness also generally went to Mexboro’ on Saturday nights, and his two brothers would go to the Picture Hall, and his younger sister also went to the Picture Hall or “ran about.” Minnie was usually left at home to look after her sister’s children.

Lyons sometimes went to the public-house, and if he did not he was generally asleep in his own house. Witness never remembered Lyons being in his (witness’s) mother’s house when he (witness) went out. He had never known his sister Minnie to have a sweetheart, and she had never gone with anyone. She was his favourite sister, and he was more intimate with her than with any other member of the family. He had always found her truthful and straightforward.

He first heard of her trouble on the 15th December. He was disgusted about it, and said nothing to anybody. Shortly after, he left home, and went into a home which he had furnished for himself and his wife. He got married on the 5th December.

Answering Mr. Blackmore, witness said he was not aware that either her mother or Fred Lyons had spoken to her about going into the Castle grounds with boys. Lyons had once spoken to him (witness) about it, and his mother “got on to” Minnie, who denied that she had been with boys at all.

Mr. Blackmore, on behalf of the prisoner, submitted that no prima facie case had been made out, but the Chairman decided against him.

Lyons then pleaded not guilty, and intimated that he would reserve his defence.

He was committed to the Assizes.

Mr. Blackmore applied for bail, and the Chairman pointed out that only four days were wanting to the Assizes. Besides, it was hardly a case for bail. If it were not for the fact that the prisoner, since the matter had been taken up, had made no attempt to escape, he would not entertain the application. He would grant bail, but it would be “stiff.”

Mr. Blackmore: As you say, the prisoner has made no attempt to run away, and I was hoping that circumstance would weigh with you and induce you to fix the amount at a fairly light sum.

The Chairman: No. I said that but for that consideration I should not have considered the question of bail at all.

Mr. J. Baddiley, on behalf of the prosecution, said he had no objection to the application, but he felt that, considering the character of the case, a very substantial sum should be fixed.

Bail was allowed the prisoner in a personal surety of £20, and two others of £10.