Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Thursday 01 December 1921

West Riding Assizes.

Mexborough Man Libels his Mother-in-law.

At the West Riding Assizes, at Leeds, yesterday, before Mr. Justice Salter, George Gwynne Davies (42), tailors’ manager, of Mexborough, was charged with publishing defamatory libels concerning his mother-in-law, Kate Nicholson, of Mexborough, on 8 November and other dates.

On a postcard to the prosecutrix, prisoner wrote :—” Farrow’s Bank swindle eclipsed: Great robbery of £700 from a sick man by your mother and sister—my wife.”

Prisoner pleaded guilty to the libel. It was stated that similar postcards had been addressed to other relatives. The Judge asked if there was any hope of reconciliation between the prisoner, his wife, and her people.

Mr. Bramley (for the prosecution) thought there was none.

Mr. F. J. O. Coddington (who defended) said the prisoner made the accusations at a time when his mind was trembling in the balance. Since, he had realised his fault, and he had made a full and frank apology through the magistrates who committed him for trial. He repeated the apology now. There was a long, sad story behind the events leading up to the case.

The Judge said it was perhaps not necessary to go into any further details. The prisoner was bound over for twelve months. himself in £200 and his brother as surety in the same amount.