Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 07 April 1933

Unprovoked Assault

Mexboro’ Dance Incident

An unprovoked assault during a dance at the Olympia Rink, Mexboro’, on March 17th, resulted on Tuesday in Horace Gillford, a Mexboro’ miner, being sent to prison for a month.

Mr. A. S. Furniss, who prosecuted, said that on the night in question George Thompson, a taxi-proprietor, of Swinton, was called to the rink for a fare. On arriving he was told to wait, and he began conversing with a man named Allen. Suddenly Gilllord, whom Thompson had not previously that night, came up to the men, and without saying anything struck Thompson twice, on the left eye. So severe were the blows that Thompson’s face was cut, and had to be stitched.

Thompson gave evidence in of that statement he added that he did not know who had struck him until afterwards.

George Goodacre, lessee of the Royal Cinema, Mexborol, said he was standing near Thompson when the assault occurred. He described it as unprovoked. There was no conversation between Thompson and Gillford. The latter simply came up and struck Thompson.

Gillford, on oath, said he was talking to two women when Thompson came up and used bad language. “I told him about it, and if I had not struck him he would have hit me. I think he was a little jealous because I was talking to the women ”

Answering Mr Furniss, Gillford admitted that he had never previously spoken to Thompson.