Mexborough and Swinton Times March 16, 1928

Sent To Prison.
Mexboro’ Footballer’s Disgraceful Conduct.
Added Wrong.

Richard Shaw, a Mexborough footballer, was sent to prison for a month at Doncaster on Saturday for assaulting Bernard Dryden a Mexborough miner. Shaw pleaded ‘Not guilty.” Mr. C. R. Marshall, who prosecuted, said the defendant was a professional footballer and played for Mexborough Athletic. For about 4 six months complainant had had very seriously to complain of Shaw’s association with his wife, and on one occasion turned him out of his house in the early hours of the morning.

On the night of February 26 when it was very foggy, complainant was walking along Doncaster Road, Mexborough. He was unable to see further than 20 yards, but he heard a voice saying “Here comes Dryden.” He went along the road, and found his wife with the defendant, His wife pushed him away, and the defendant struck him in the eye. Dryden tries to strike hack, but the defendant struck him in the mouth, knocked him against a wall, and his face was cut. He fell to the ground, and did not remember what happened for the next few minutes, but thought that he must have been struck while he was on the ground, as when he went to see a doctor he found that his ribs were seriously damaged.

Complainant gave evidence bearing out his solicitor’s statement, and said that his wife had left him.

Defendant: Did you follow us after we had passed you?—No.

Did you strife the first blow?—No.

James Haigh, a Mexborough miner, said that some days before the assault the defendant said to him, “You can tell Dryden that when I see him I am going to give him the biggest hiding he has had in his life.”

Defendant, giving evidence, said he had been friendly with Mrs. Dryden for five or six months. On one occasion when he was leaving the football field, Dryden said to him, “When I have finished with you, you won’t play football any more,” A fortnight before the alleged assault complainant wanted to fight him, and he (defendant), knew he was ill and refused.

On February 26, he accidentally met Mrs. Dryden and walked with her. They met the complainant, and he (defendant), said to Mrs. Dryden, “There’s Bernard,” and bade him good night. Dryden said, “I will give you ‘Good night’ before I have finished with you.”

Defendant said he walked with Mrs. Dryden, and the complainant followed them. Mrs. Dryden turned round and said, “What are you following us for?” Dryden said he wanted him ‘,defendant. His wife pushed him away, and then Dryden struck him on the chin and not him down. He retaliated, and there were only two or three blows struck. Two or three men lad been threatening him for a long time.

Mr. Marshall: Would not you expect him to object to you walking out with his wife?—Defendant: He has said nothing to me.

The magistrates’ Clerk: What attitude did you expect this man to take when you were walking out with his wife? Is it a decent and honourable thing to do? You talk as if you had a grievance, but it is Dryden who as a grievance.

Defendant admitted that Dryden had a grievance.

The Clerk: You don’t show up in a very creditable light.