South Yorkshire Times, July 3, 1943

Murdered Girl’s Father

Warned About Attitude to Police

The father of the girl who was recently found murdered at Goldthorpe, George Merrick (44), soldier, living at Thurnscoe, was summoned at Doncaster West Riding Court on Tuesday for using bad language, and was bound over to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

A condition attached was, “and in particular that your attitude towards the police shall be a correct one, and that you leave them alone in the performance of their duties, and that you do not interfere with them or any of the witnesses in the unfortunate case.”

P.C. Tully said that on June 24th he received a telephone message to go to shop premises in Doncaster Road, Goldthorpe. At the same time Merrick ran into the Goldthorpe police station. He had had some drink and used bad language. As witness went to the shop Merrick went along and used more bad language.

Asked if he wished to question the policeman, Merrick said: “I ask a liar nothing.” Later he said, “The case is one of trying to find out who murdered my daughter.” He declared that he had been caused much trouble over the inquest proceedings.

The Chairman (Mr. M. L. Nokes) told Merrick that if ever the police had tried to find a solution to a murder the police had in the Goldthorpe case.

Asked if he would cease using bad language because his trouble had not been settled, Merrick asked what he was to do.

The Chairman: Be a good lad.

Merrick: I have tried being quiet as long as possible, but nothing has been done.

The Chairman told Merrick that if there was a repetition of his conduct the result might be serious for him.