Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 16 September 1932

Kilnhurst Melee

“Rough House” For Policeman

Solicitor’s Advice

A little more tact and a little less staff should be used in future.” said Mr. A. H. Jackson defending five Kilnhurst miners at Rotherham who had been summoned in consequence of a disturbance outside the Nag’s Head Inn, Kilnhurst, on September 6th.

Michael J. Collins (35), of Glasshouse Road; Richard Gilliver (30), of North Terrace; Bernard Machin (28), of 114 Meadow View; and George Frith (38), of Glasshouse Road , were accused of having fought on the highway in Glasshouse Road, on September 6th.

All four, together with Joseph Gilliver (33), miner, of North Terrace were also summoned for having used violent and abusive language. Richard Gilliver and Bernard Machin were charged with having obstructed P.c. Kirk in the execution of his duty, and Joseph Gilliver was charged with having assaulted P.c. Kirk.

P.C. Kirk said he saw all the defendants, with the exception of Joseph Gilliver, fighting in Glasshouse Road, Kilnhurst. Machin broke away from the others and started walking towards the village. Witness turned round, and said to him. “Get off home.” “The crowd on the ground was a struggling mass of humanity,” said witness. There were over 100 persons on the scene. He went in among them to separate the fighters, and Machin came back and put up his fists again, getting hold of witness’s arm, as he was trying to separate Gilliver and Frith. He got hold of Machin and charged him with obstruction. Joseph Gilliver rushed out of the crowd at witness at this stage and kicked him on the right leg, just above the knee. Witness told him to keep off, but Gilliver tried to kick him again. At that time the crowd was very hostile and stones and pieces of brick were being thrown, nearly hitting witness. Having one man in custody and attempting to separate the others, witness took out his baton and knocked Joseph Gilliver down. The crowd then dispersed.

Witness then arrested Joseph Gilliver and took him and Machin to the Swinton Police Station. Richard Gilliver boarded the same ‘bus on the way, and as witness got out of the ‘bus at Swinton he tried to get the other two away. He wilfully obstructed witness and got hold of his coat. Witness took out his baton and struck at Richard Gilliver, who ran away.

Evidence in support given by P.s. Downhill; George Smith, licensee of Nag’s Head Hotel; and Olive Roper (15), of 41, North Terrace, Kilnhurst.

Olive Roper said she fetched the police officer when she saw trouble going on at the Nag’s Head.

Mr. A. H. Jackson pleaded “Not guilty” on behalf of all the defendants, and said although there were at least 100 people on the scene the police had to drag a girl of 15 into court to give evidence. He submitted there was no corroboration of P.c. Kirk’s evidence. Mr. Jackson asked the magistrates not only to dismiss the summons, but to say that a little more tact and a little less staff should be used in the future. Judges had held time after time that there was a responsibility on the police officer to use more patience than most people.

All the defendants gave evidence, denying the charges.

John William Haythorne, of 33, North Terrace, Kilnhurst, said he was outside the Nag’s Head at the time of the trouble with P.c. Kirk. When P.c. Kirk arrived on the scene there was no one on the ground and no fighting was taking place. Only one blow was struck, and that was by the policeofficer.

Collins, Machin and Frith were each fined £1 for fighting, and £1 each for having used abusive language. Joseph Gilliver was fined £1 for abusive language. The other cases were dismissed.