Home Crime Crime Other Mistaken Signal – Goldthorpe Point Policeman’s Escape

Mistaken Signal – Goldthorpe Point Policeman’s Escape

September 1929

Mexborough and Swinton times, September 20, 1929

Mistaken Signal

Goldthorpe Point Policeman’s Escape

Sidney J. Cooper, engine driver was summoned at Doncaster on Tuesday, for driving a motor cycle to the danger of the public at Goldthorpe on September 4th.

P.c. Mannion said that on the date in question he was on duty at Barnsley road Goldthorpe, at about 7-10 p.m. approaching him from the direction of Barnsley was a heavy motor lorry, followed by defendant, who was driving a motor cycle combination. The lorry-driver put out his right hand showing his intention of turning down High Street, and witness waved him on.

At the same time, he looked in the direction of  Doncaster to stop any traffic coming that  way, There was none, and as witness turned again he saw defendant. He had got past the lorry, and was coming straight at witness, who stepped back to avoid being run over. He shouted to defendant to stop, which he did about 30 yards along the road. Asked for an explanation, defendant said “I thought you signalled me on. I was surprised when I saw the lorry turn. I couldn’t stop, so I went for it to get through.”

Percival Huntington, 152, Doncaster Road, Goldthorpe, gave corroborative evidence, and said the policeman had a narrow escape.

Defendant said he was behind the lorry, which was partly on the move, and anyone in his position would have thought that the lorry was going to turn into Goldthorpe Hotel yard, and that the constable’s signal was for witness to proceed. As soon as be got the signal,

Witness opened out, but immediately afterwards, he realised that he had made a mistake, and tried to get through.

Fined 20s.