South Yorkshire Times, July 14, 1951
GAOL SENTENCES FOR “VICIOUS ATTACK”
Two And Three Years For Mexbro’ And Swinton Men
Eric Bowen (25) Salesman, Brookfield Avenue, Swinton, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, and Fred Whitehouse (28), Miner, of Browning Road, Mexborough, to two years, at Leeds Assizes on Tuesday, when they were found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Cecil Lawrence Barr, of Cantley Lane, Doncaster. They were found not guilty of wounding with intent.
Mr. Justice Jones told Bowen “You are obviously a man of great strength and very violent temper. With your strength, and your temper you had better be very careful.” He said Whitehouse appeared to have played a lesser part but it must be made clear to him and everyone else that proceedings of that kind would be punished severely.
The hearing lasts for two days. At Monday’s hearing it was alleged that following a midnight collision between two motor cars at Warmswoth, the driver of one vehicle and one of the passengers – Whitehouse and Bowen – viciously attacked the driver of the other car – Barr. The accused pleaded not guilty
Mr. D. Robson for the Crown, said at midnight on February 24th Mr. Barr was driving along the Sheffield Road towards Doncaster. At Warmsworth his car came into collision with another vehicle going in the opposite direction. Mr. Barr was uninjured and stopped his vehicle, He walked toward the other car and asked if anyone was hurt. Then he saw the two accused approaching him, both adopting a menacing attitude and someone called “We are going to kill you”, someone else added that a girl in the car had been hurt.
Council said that both accused attacked Barr with their fists and later kicked him. One of the accused was alleged to have said to Barr “Don’t think you will get the police because if you do, we will get you in the end.” Mr. Robson said that a bus driver who had stopped was told by one of he accused that Barr had received his injuries in the collision. Bowen, told by the police about the allegation of assault was alleged to have said “that is ridiculous, I was a passenger in Whitehouse’s car when we bumped.”
Whitehouse, in evidence on Tuesday said he was driving on his proper side of the road when the collision happened without warning. He said he did not see Bowen strike or kick Barr, neither did he strike or kick Barr himself.
Bowen in evidence said he had held a licence to box professionally but had not fought for about seven months. When the collision occurred a girl passenger was thrown out of the car in which he and Whitehouse were traveling. She was not seriously hurt. He shouted to Barr “Anyone the worse you mad_______ you might have killed us.” He approached Barr who started running. He gave chase, Barr stumbled and witness assisted him to his feet. There was a struggle during which Barr pushed him in the face. Later he pinned Barr against some railings and then assisted him to his car. He denied he told a bus driver to go away and offered him money to do so.