South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 05 December 1942

On Way to Work

Words Lead to Blows at Kilnhurst

Percy Oxley (49) coal miner, of 33, Byron Road, Mexborough, was at Rotherham on Monday fined 10s. for having, at Templeborough on Oct. 28th obstructed a footpath with a bicycle, and 10s. for having assaulted Edith Hobbs (married), of 11, West Road, Mexborough, at Kilnhurst, on the same date.

A summons for having ridden a bicycle to the danger of the public was dismissed.

Mr. Donald Dunn, solicitor (of Messrs Fenoughty and Dunn) appeared for Oxley, who pleaded not guilty.

Edith Hobbs said on Oct. 28th she was on her way to work at Baker and Bessemer’s and was walking down a narrow cinder track to get to the works, when a bicycle ridden by Oxley struck her in the back. She called Oxley “a clever devil.” He dismounted from his cycle, took her by the throat, and struck her several times.

Oxley said he did not run Into Hobbs. When he saw her she was arguing with another cyclist. He dismounted to get past, and Hobbs began using abusive language. She also made slighting references to an impediment in his speech. He put his cycle down and took her by the back of the neck, saying. “I’ll make you swallow those damn words” He did not strike her.