South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 09 May 1942
Street Gaming
Swinton Group Case
On Easter Monday, April 6th, Â Illegal play was found to be in progress at Queen Street, Swinton, and on Monday this week, twelve men and youths were summoned to Rotherham court to answer charges of having gamed with coins in a public place.
The defendants were Peter Sidebottom (36), miner. White Lee Road, Mexborough (who was also accused of having used obscene language); John Globe, (19), miner, Wath Road, Mexborough; Wm. Elliott (33), miner, 27, Queen Street, Mexborough, John H. Claydon (17), haulage band, 4. Temperance Street, Swinton; John Riley (27), miner. 40, Wath Road, Mexborough; Thomas Flint (34), farmer, 120, Station Street, Swinton: Frank Mayer (30), miner, 131, Queen Street. Mexborough: Thomas Dunhill (30), miner 24, Craven Road, Swinton: Aaron Price (44), gardener, 4, Mount Street, Swinton: William Taylor (26), haulage hand, 2, Rookery Road, Swinton: Joseph Southall (43), miner, 97, Schofield Street. Mexborough: Charles W. Gouldings (63), miner, 27, Windhill Crescent Mexborough.
Only three of the defendants appeared in court—Sidebottom, Claydon and Mayer.
Sidebottom was fined 30s. for having used obscene language and 20s. for gaming. He was allowed five weeks in which to pay. Claydon, who said he was not gaming, was ordered to pay costs, 4s. Mayer called a woman witness to prove that he was not with the group, and the summons against him was dismissed.
Several of the other defendants sent letters pleading guilty.