Mexborough and Swinton Times, December 12, 1902

Street Fighting.

William Sowden and Joseph Henry Hewitt, labourers, of Goldthorpe, were charged with obstructing the highway by fighting, at Goldthorpe, on the 23rd ult.

Only Sowden of the two defendants appeared, and his explanation was that Hewitt lodged with him, and was using bad language in the presence of his wife, and he ordered him outside, where the row culminated in fighting.

Edith, wife of the defendant Sowden, gave corroborative evidence, and the Bench dismissed the charge against Sowden, and imposed a fine of 5/- and 6/6 costs on the other defendant, Hewitt.

Samuel Fudge, junr., a miner of Goldthorpe, and Ernest Johnson, a miner, of Thurnscoe, were also charged with the same offence, and here again only one defendant (Johnson) appeared in court.

The constable’s evidence was to the effect that both defendants were creating a disturbance in the street by fighting, and the Bench, after hearing defendant’s story, in which he alleged the fault lay with the absent defendant Fudge. fined Johnson 2/6 and costs, and Fudge 5/- and costs.

Michael Gavin, of Mexboro’, and Ernest Hanson, of Goldthorpe, both miners, were charged with a similar offence at Mexboro’ on the 29th ult.

Gavin appeared in answer to the charge, and strongly denied fighting, saying it was Hanson and another man, and when the constables “collared” hold of him they got hold of the wrong man. He called a witness in support of his statement, and he said that he told the constable when he took hold of Gavin: “You have got the wrong man.”

Asked by the Bench the right man’s name, he said Dyson Greenwood, but on being asked where he lived he replied “next door to him, Hartley Yard, High Street, Mexboro; and the constables having no knowledge of such a place, witness said it used to be called that: “he really didn’t know where he lived, as he was in lodgings.” (Laughter).

Gavin was let off on payment of costs, and the Police were instructed to bring the other defendant up at the next court.