Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Thursday 01 September 1927

Assault with Bottle.

Sequel to Doncaster Disturbance.

A man alleged to be an associate some of the worst characters of the racecourse was sent to prison for two months by Doncaster magistrates yesterday.

The prisoner was Arthur Hannon (34), a bookmaker, of 20, Crossgate, Mexborough, and he was accused of assaulting George Goddard, of Belmont Street, Mexborough, by striking him on the head with bottle of sherry.

The case was sequel to a disturbance St. Sepulchre Gate, Doncaster, last Friday night, when Goddard was knocked unconscious and had to be taken to the Infirmary. Hannon was originally charged with unlawfully wounding but the charge was reduced to one of assault. Goddard said that at 10 p.m. on Friday, he was standing with a friend outside an hotel in St. Sepulchre Gate.

While he was talking he was rendered unconscious. “I can remember nothing. I don’t know what it was that knocked me unconscious, because I did not see the prisoner at all.”

Questioned by Hannon, witness denied fighting with Walter Tingle.

Martin Kenny, an ex-soldier, of Doncaster, said prisoner had a bottle, smashed the other man down with it, and while he was on the floor set about him with his feet and kicked him.” Hannon then strolled away, but witness kept him under observation and informed a policeconstable. There was no provocation for the assault.

Mark Thompson, miner, of Mexborough, said he was in company with Goddard and prisoner was with three other men. Both Goddard and himself were knocked down.

Hannon now told the magistrates was walking towards the station with a friend when he saw Goddard and Thompson fighting with a man named Walter Tingle. The row did not concern him all.

The Chairman said as well sending him to prison, the Bench bound him over to be of good behaviour for twelve months.