Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 07 August 1903

Drunk, Refusing to Quit, and Assault at Conisboro’

Thomas Kelley, of Mexboro’, and Patrick Birmingham, miner, of New Conisboro’, were summoned for having been drunk and refusing to quit the Station Hotel at Conisboro’ on the 27th July, and also with assaulting Fredk. Lowe, the landlord, on the same date.

The defendants did not appear.

Mr. W. Baddiley, who prosecuted, stated that on Monday last the two defendants went into the hotel, being the worse for drink.

The landlord refused to serve them with liquor, and he ordered them out.

They then commenced to use very bad language, and wanted to fight anyone in the room.

Mr. Lowe again ordered them out, and as they refused to go he sent for the police.

As soon as he had done so, Kelley dealt him a violent blow on the nose, which caused blood to flow.

He eventually obtained assistance and turned them out.

When they got into the street Birmingham kicked him very badly over the shins, from which he was still suffering.

Mr. Baddiley thought it was one of those cases where these defendants might be made an example of.

It was very hard for innkeepers to conduct their business properly in mining places—men came into their houses drunk, and then because they were refused drink they turned round in this way.

The landlord gave evidence, and he was corroborated by Walter Bell and Richard Chambers.

The defendants were each fined 5s., 5s. 6d. costs, for being drunk and refusing to quit, and the magistrates said they would be sent to prison for 14 days for the assault, and have to pay the costs, 16s., in default of which they would have to go to prison for a further seven days.