Mexborough and Swinton Times June 14, 1929

Daring Gamesters 
A Mexborough Raid
Sequel to Complaints

Thomas Axe, glassworker, 22; Allan Montgomery, collier, 20; Joseph Myers, pony driver, 14; Robert Myers, trammer, 22; James Millington, haulage hand, 17; Bernard Millington, haulage hand, 15; Albert Lowe, haulage hand, 2,0; Joseph W. Lowe, haulage hand, 18; and Abraham White, pony driver, 20; all of Mexborough, were summoned at the Doncaster Petty Sessions on Tuesday for gaming with coins on Sunday, May 26th.

The defendants, who denied the offence, were represented by Mr. A. Loy.

P.c. Foster said he was with P.c. Stratford in an old building at 3.45 p.m. on the day stated, overlooking Quakers Fold, and saw the defendants in a ring, tossing coins, and money changed hands frequently. From their place of concealment, they watched them play for three or four minutes and then left, going to Quakers’ Fold by different routes. They caught the nine defendants, took their names and addresses and told them they would be reported. White replied. “I have not been here long; I only came for my brother.” Witness added that several complaints had been received, not only of gambling but other things which were carried on every Sunday. The youths did not live in that part of the town. There were other youths there, but they got away. It was a difficult place to get at, and the defendants received a signal that they were watched. Axe said to witness, “I have come down for my father’s socks.”

Cross-examined, witness said he approached the place at Quakers Fold, and P.c. Stratford went by way of Miller’s Yard to ‘ cut off the lads’ exit. The place of concealment was ten yards from where defendants were gambling, and he saw copper coins thrown. The boys were not in front of the house all the time. Witness knew that some of the boys were born in the district. He was the first constable to reach the defendants, arid when he did, he saw no coins, because they would have been picked up. Witness knew the lads worked short time in the mines but could not say how they got their money. He denied that P.c. Stratford charged the boys with doing damage to property. An old woman who was sitting on her doorstep waved to the boys when she saw the constable coming. Witness saw Bernard Millington tossing coins in the air. In all, there were thirteen boys. He had seen some of them there before. “It. is a regular habit every Sunday for the boys to get into the wash-houses.” said witness.

Mr. Loy: The lads would not gamble within five minutes of the Police Station -They would do anything in Mexborough (laughter).

In further reply to Mr. Loy, witness said no one saw him and the other constable enter the old building from the back. The youths would have ten yards to run after receiving the signal. Some of them did run away.

Re-examined, witness added that the place of concealment was an old mill. They were on the second   storey. The youths were told they would be reported for gaming.

P.c. Stratford corroborated, and said that the lads mis-used the wash-houses. He and the previous witness were on the

P.c. Stratford corroborated, and said that the lads mis-used the wash-houses. He and the previous witness were on the third floor. When he approached, the lads could not run away because they were surrounded. A complaint received as to gaming was received from the landlord’s agent.

Mr. Loy, addressing the Bench, said the case should never have been brought as the lads were in the habit of meeting in front of a house occupied by Mrs. Mabel Crompton. On this particular day they met after a thunderstorm, and Robert Myers was the first to arrive, about 3.20. Ultimately thirteen boys ‘ were there. They met at a house at the top of Quaker’s Fold, and could have run away at a signal had they been doing anything wrong., They had met that many times and would no doubt meet that many times in future, – Though the constables said complaints were received from residents, they did not bring evidence to this effect.

Mrs. Kate Buller, a resident at the place, living opposite Mrs. Crompton, between Quaker’s Fold and Mill Yard , said the first boy she saw come after the thunderstorm was Robert Myers. He was standing by Mrs. Crompton’e window, and then the other lads came up one or two at a time. The first policeman she saw was P.c. Stratford, and he would have to come up to Mill Yard before he could see defendants, who were talking together. She heard a policeman say “‘What’s your name.” The last lad to come was White.

Cross-examined, witness said she was not interested in the lads, and she would not agree that Quaker’s Yard was seventy yards from Mrs. Crompton’s House.

Mrs. Crompton said the, boys were standing in front of her window at 8.15. Had they been gambling she would have shifted them, or sent for the Police. When the Police came the lads made no attempt to run away.

The Clerk (Mr. C. R. Thurston): Were the boys outside your window all the time? —Yes.

The defendant Robert Myers, on oath, said he was with the group, and P. c. Stratford came up and asked “What’s the game?’ He had not a penny with which to gamble, and he was not charged with gaming. They were charged with doing damage to property

Cross-examined, he said that Mrs. Crompton let them meet outside her house on Sunday afternoons as they did not disturb her.

A constable told you that you would be reported for gaming, and you made no reply. —He never told us about gaming.

The defendant White, on oath, said he saw the constable taking names, so he went up close. He said to him, “We want you and all, you are one of them. Witness was told he was going to be charged with doing damage to property, and nothing was said about gaming with coins. He had just come from his home.

The defendants were fined 10/- each.