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 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.”

Sergeant Gallowav 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.