Mexborough and Swinton Times February 24, 1928

Fighting Drunk.
Mexboro’ Motor – Cyclist’s Wild Behaviour
A Savage Attack.

Joseph R. Goodlad, a boot dealer, of 27, Crossgate, Mexborough, was summoned at Doncaster on Tuesday with

(1) Having driven a motor cycle with no front light;

(2) His identification plate not being illuminated;

(3) Having driven a motor cycle dangerously;

(4) Damaging a police uniform;

(5) Being drunk in charge of a motor cycle; and

(6) With assaulting a police constable.

He pleaded guilty to the first charge and not guilty to the others.

P.c. Whitehead said at 10.25 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10th, he was on duty in Doncaster Road, Denaby, when he saw a motor cycle approaching without a front light. He shouted to the driver to stop. Goodlad was driving, and he failed to stop until he reached the level crossing gates, which were closed. Witness ran after him and saw him lighting his lamp. When he got to him he spoke to him and prisoner replied: “It just went out up the road.” As soon as the gates opened, Goodlad accelerated and drove away.

Witness remembered the registration number, and at 10.30 p.m. on Feb. 16th he was on duty at practically the same place, when he saw the same motor cycle being driven by Goodlad. Witness shouted to him to stop, and he pulled up lower down the road. He was travelling in a zig-zag manner, and witness went up to him and spoke to him; and told him he would be reported.

Goodlad replied “You —– cur, you are a —– liar. Come into the middle of the road. We will —– well have it out.”

During his conversation witness noticed that Goodlad’s speech was thick and that he smelt strongly of drink; he also noticed the prisoner supported himself with the aid of the machine. Goodlad said that his driving licence was’ at home. Whilst witness was taking particulars of the excise licence, Goodlad, who had not stopped his engine, drove away in a very erratic manner, narrowly missing some vehicles which were travelling in the opposite direction.

He followed the prisoner to his home, and there was taken into the house by prisoner’s -father. After he had been in the house a few minutes, prisoner entered carrying some coal and firewood. When he saw witness he made use of very bad language, and witness asked for his driving licence. Goodlad then struck him a violent blow on the left side of the head with his fist breaking the side of his helmet. Goodlad stooped and picked up a short stick and attacked witness again. Witness closed with him and he used the stick dagger-wise, repeatedly jabbing witness in the face and neck and on the head, and he attempted to injure witness’s eyes. With the help of the father, witness managed to get Goodlad seated on a chair and Goodlad then said “I wish I had a gun, I would —– well shoot you. I will murder you, you —– swine.”

Witness tried to reason with him, when he commenced another violent attack. Goodlad was taken to the Mexborough police station, where almost immediately he fell asleep on a form. Later, Inspector Varley saw him, and he said: “I have had ten pints, a whiskey and some wine.” He was then released

Inspector Varley said that at 12.5 a.m. last Friday he saw Goodlad on the form. He seemed to be drunk, and witness asked him to give an account of his actions. P.c. Whitehead had blood streaming down his face and was in a very exhausted condition, and his helmet was broken. On Goodlad’s father promising to take him home, Goodlad was released on bail. At 9.30 the same morning witness saw Goodlad again and when questioned he said that he did not remember anything about it.

Goodlad now said: “I don’t remember anything about it. I am sorry it has occurred. I don’t recall anything. I am not used to having drink. I ought to have kept off it.

The Chairman (Mr. G. B. Shiffener): You have a very bad record to start with.

Goodlad had six previous convictions, including one for robbery with assault.

The Chairman: “Goodlad, this is one of the worst cases that has ever come before the Bench, and we are going to deal severely with you. You are not fit to drive a motor cycle or anything else. For assaulting the police you will go to prison for five months with hard labour, and for being drunk in charge of a motor cycle you will go to prison for one month with hard labour, the sentences to run consecutively. Your licence will be suspended for two years. For having no front light you will be fined 10s. For not having your identification plate illuminated d you will pay 10s. for driving dangerously £2; and for damage to the police uniform £1 2s.