Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 7, 1939

Wife’s Plea Saves Goldthorpe Man from Prison

The plea of an attractive looking, young woman saved her husband from prison at Doncaster on Saturday, when Sidney Ainscough (27) hairdresser, Leadley Street, Goldthorpe, was charged with having committed grievous bodily harm on his wife, Dorothy.

Mrs. Ainscough appeared in the witness box with a discoloured and cut eye, but no evidence was given except that the trouble occurred after a cricket club dinner and dance at Goldthorpe.

Asked by the Chairman (Mr. Mark Nokes) if he did not respect his wife, Ainscough replied, “Yes. I didn’t know what I was doing. The only thing I can say is that I lost my senses.”

When the Chairman said “You will have to find a better excuse or we are going to send you down,” Mrs. Ainscough pleaded. “Oh. don’t send him to prison. He is a good husband, but has outbursts of temper.”

The Chairman (to Ainscough): If you promise you will be honest with her and treat her properly we will not send you down. Anscough: I promise.

The Chairman said they were prepared to give Ainscough another chance on his wife’s plea and they bound him over in £20 for 12 months.