Mexborough and Swinton Times April 19, 1929
Mexborough Innkeepers Offence
“This is a very serious offence. We can’t have houses carried on by men who are not careful and know nothing about licensing laws,” said Mr G Cooke – Yarborough at the Doncaster West Riding Court on Tuesday when fining Jonas Royston, licensee of the Miners Inn, Mexborough £5 and his son Stanley £2 having harboured a policeman while on duty. Jonas Royston did not appear, and Stanley Royston said he committed the offence in ignorance.
Superintendent Minty said that on March 24, Inspector Redfern and Sergeant Wigglesworth saw PC Ryder enter the Mines Inn by a back entrance. The constable was in uniform. The Inspector and Sergeant went to the Inn, gained admittance and saw the constable sitting with defendant, a pint of beer before him.
Defendant said he was responsible, his father having been ill for 14 months, and was incapable of running the house. In answer to the inspector, he said he had supplied the beer to the constable, who was a personal friend.
Supt. Minty said the offence was a great breach of regulation and of the law, and they took a strong view of it. The constable had been dealt with by the Chief Constable.
Inspector Redfern said that Stanley Royston saw him on the 25th and said he did not know the business. He was trying to carry on during his father’s illness.
After hearing the amounts of the fines, defendant asked to be allowed to plead for his father, who knew nothing of the offence.
The Chairman : He cannot be excused. It is a very serious offence, and he should know of it.