Mexborough and Swinton Times February 3, 1928
Club Row.
A Rough and Tumble At Mexborough
Steward Assaulted.
An assault case lasted two hours at Doncaster on Tuesday, when John N. Hudson, steward of the Hope Working Men’s Club, Mexborough, summoned William Hardeman, a traveller, of Mexborough, and his three sons, Wilfred, Leslie and Clarence, for assault. William Hardeman and Marshall Melbourne (a Mexborough miner) were also summoned for a licensing offence. Hudson was cross-summoned by William Hardeman and two of his sons for assault.
Mr. A. S. Furniss, of Rotherham, who defended, pleaded “guilty” to a technical offence under the Licensing Act, and “not guilty” to ‘the assault.
Mr. Lindsay Crawford prosecuted. –
The Prelude.
Hudson, said he was steward at the Hope W.M.C., and a former member of the Metropolitan Police Force. On January 14th he was serving in the bar at the club when Melbourne went up to the bar and asked for half-a-bottle of rum, a bottle of stout, and three gills of beer. Witness asked Melbourne who they, were for, and he replied that he was taking them home. William Hardeman had previously entered the club, and had spoken to Melbourne.
William Hardeman was not a member and could not obtain liquor to take out. Melbourne left the club with bottles in his pockets. A few minutes later the steward noticed that Hardeman followed Melbourne out of the club. Being suspicious, witness went outside and saw Melbourne in the act of handing over the bottle containing the beer. Hardeman had already put the rum and stout in his pockets.
Witness went to Hardeman and said, “Are ‘you aware of the seriousness of this offence?” Hardeman replied: “Look here. If I was a committee man I would see that you —- looked after your business and not come outside into the street interfering with me. When my son gets here he will —– give it you.”
Mrs. Hardeman, who was in court, shouted: “That’s a lie. “‘My husband would never say that. My husband never used anything like that in his life.”
Mrs. Hardeman ‘was removed from the court.
The Storm.
Hudson said that he told Hardeman that neither he nor his son would do that. Hardeman, who had his hands in his pocket said: “I will —– give it .you now,” and drew back as if to strike Hudson. ‘Witness pushed Hardeman away and Haldeman sat down. He sat down so lightly that not one of the bottles in his pocket was broken Hudson said, “Don’t be foolish. You are an old man.” Hardeman replied, “I will see a committee man about this.” Witness’ then went into the club and there saw the president and told him about the trouble. The president ‘went outside and spoke to Hardeman. Afterwards Hardeman turned away and said to Melbourne: “Is there any change, son?” Melbourne said’ “Yes,” and gave him 2s. Hardman then turned to go away and said, “I will —— do you for this. See if I don’t.” Hardeman then went away.
On Monday, January 16th, witness was on duty at the club about. 11-20. a.m., when Clarence Hardeman visited the club and said to the steward, “Jack, you are wanted outside.”
There were two men stood at the bar, and witness asked them to attend to the bar whilst he went outside. When he arrived at the door he saw Wilfred Hardman at the right side of the door and Leslie on the left, Wilfred said, “What about assaulting the old man on Saturday?” Witness replied, “If you want to talk to me about anything on Saturday, come to me when I am off duty.” The two men then closed in towards witness, who backed towards the steps. Then he felt a blow on the left side of the face from behind. At the same time he received blows from the front and Wilfred and Leslie closed with him and he went down. Whilst he was on the ground he felt kicks in the chin, nose and head. Witness shouted, and a man named Frank Chambers came to his assistance. Wilfred Hardeman was sat astride his shoulders and Leslie was sat on his legs. Chambers knocked Clarence and Leslie away, and Mrs. Hardeman, who was standing outside the club was struck in mistake by one of her sons. When witness got to his feet Wilfred and Leslie rushed outside. Wilfred picked up some stones and threw them at witness.
Joseph Henry Haythorne, an engine driver of Mexborough, said he was president of the club. On January 14th he went to the club about 9-45 p.m. He saw Hardeman and Hudson with Melbourne, and pointed out to Hardeman that he was doing an injustice in obtaining beer in that way.
To The Rescue.
Frank Chambers, a miner, of Hampden Road, Mexborough, said that on. January 16th he had been in the club some little time and was talking to a man named Steel, and the steward. He heard Clarence Hardeman go up to the steward and say he was wanted outside, and Hudson asked witness and Steel to watch the bar. He heard Hudson go to the door of the club and shortly afterwards he -saw Clarence Hardeman rush outside too. He then heard. Hudson shout for him, and he went. He saw Hudson on the floor at the bottom’ of the steps, with Wilfred on the top of him, and .the other two were “using their feet:” He hit Clarence and Leslie and they ran away.
Mr. Furniss said that he must give credit to the club for trying, to stop the sale’ of beer in an illegal manner, but on the other hand there were ways and means of doing it. Affiliated members were allowed to enter the club and have a drink, but they could not take any out, but there was no advantage, in obtaining beer specially from the club, as it could have been obtained from any other house. He acknowledged that Hardeman did a foolish thing, when he asked the steward if he could not overlook the offence. The steward rightly said he could not. According to Hardeman, one of his sons had reason to make a complaint about Hudson’s conduct. Hudson retaliated by reporting the youth to the committee and having him expelled from the club, fie (Mr. Furniss) could also quite understand how a policeman-miner would push a man away. On the Monday the sons went to the club and asked about that assault, and Hudson replied:’ “What I can do to your father I can do to’ you,’ and Hudson assaulted them.
Defence.
William Hardeman said that he was an advertising representative and lived at Hampden Road, Mexborough. He was an associated member of the Hope W.M.C. He did not know that it was illegal to take drink out, He had taken drink away for over two years. He had two sons who were members of the club. He wanted to get a drink as usual to take out with him, and neither of his sons were in the club, and Melbourne got it for him. When he was getting the stuff Hudson came up to him and hit him on the chin. Witness fell and his glasses were broken. Hudson said that he had had enough trouble with his lads and would have no trouble with him. Witness went to the club and told the president that he had been struck by the steward. He did not make any attempt to strike the steward.
Melbourne said he was going to take the drink across to Hardeman’s home when Hudson came across and tapped Hardeman on the shoulder, and said, “Do you know I am liable to a £20 fine.” Hardeman said, “You ought to close your eyes to this.” Hudson then struck Hardeman and knocked him to the ground. Hudson picked him up. He did not see Hardeman strike the steward.
Leslie Hardeman said that Hudson struck him a blow in the mouth, and then there was a rough and tumble. Wilfred went down with Hudson. They did not visit the club with any intention of assault.
Clarence Hardeman denied that he struck Hudson and Wilfred Hardeman said that he went, to the club for an explanation.
The chairman (Mr. Dymond) said the Bench were unanimous in their opinion that there had been offences committed. The summons against the steward would be dismissed, and the summons for assault by William Hardeman on the steward would also be dismissed. With regard to summonses of obtaining liquor contrary to the Consolidation Act, William Hardeman would be fined £5, and Marshall Melbourne £2. The three sons would have to pay £3 each for the assault on the steward.
The Bench were bound to do all they could to help the officials of clubs to maintain order. They tried to their duty. It was a very-unfair assault. The four Hardemans would be bound over for one year.