Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 28 September 1912

Cruelty at Mexborough

Thrashing a 10 Year Old Child

Prison For The Offender

A very bad case of cruelty to children was brought to light when Wm. Griffin was charged with ill-treating his ten-year-old son. Defendant, who is a Mexborough miner, was alleged to have thrashed the boy so unmercifully that the help of the police had to be obtained by his wife.

Secgt. fieldsend was on duty at the police station at Mexboro’ on September , when defendant’s wife brought her son to him. She stated that he had been ill-treated, and when his coat was taken off, witness saw that from his back to his right arm was covered with weals. His back was one mass weals. Between his shoulders there were some bad bruises and abrasions, apparently caused by kicking. On the day following, witness spoke to the defendant about the matter , and in reply be said: “Yee, I thrashed him more than I intended.” He further stated that he had used a belt. The reason he gave was that the boy had cheeked him. In witness’s opinion the boy had been thrashed unreasonably.

Elisabeth Griffen, wife of defendant, said that they both lived at 4, Nelson row, Mexborough. She remembered her husband “setting on” the boy. He used very bad language, and said he would “pull his —– heart out.” He both hit him with his belt and kicked him; in addition he threw a boot at him. She tried to get him to stop, but he would not.

Defendant had nothing to say. There were 13 previous convictions against him. He was committed to prison for one month, the Chairman remarking that it was a bad case.