Mexborough and Swinton Times February 23, 1918

Meat Troubles at Kilnhurst.

At the Rotherham West Riding Police Court, on Monday, Wm. Hewitson, miner, of Kilnhurst, was charged with using abusive language to Leonard Glasby, butcher, Hooton road, Kilnhurst, on January 26.

Mr. W. M. Gichard prosecuted, and stated that the defendant was employed at Thrybergh Hall Colliery, and Glasby was a butcher at Kilnhurst. On January 26, at 2-45 defendant went to Glasby’s shop and said “Where is my meat?” He was not a customer of Glasby, who told him he had no meat for him, and that he had cut up his supply of meat as fairly as he possibly could among his customers.

Defendant used bad language, saying also that he had just come from work and had no meat, and it would not take him long to go into the shop and fetch some out. Defendant also told Glasby would be stopped from taking meat out of the district in his cart, as some of them had arranged to ‘upset the cart and take the meat from him. Defendant was very excited, and continued to use obscene language, and created an uproar for a considerable time.

He disturbed the customers at the shop, and causing annoyance to them. Glasby reported  the matter to the police, and subsequently Constable Headland saw the defendant he might have used some bad language, but he did not know that he did.

The summons was issued by Supt. Haynes and on February 9 defendant again went to the shop and found the door closed and fastened. He went round to the hack door, and through the premises  to the shop, and told Glasby that he wanted to have a word with him.

Defendant told him that he had come to put him through. but he found there was some one else in the shop. If there had not been he would have buffeted him round the shop, and that he had got to have it. Defendant was a pugilist, and a man of violent character. Shortly afterwards, as defendant was leaving, he was passing a receptacle for offal and blood, and made the remark that he would like to see Glasby in that condition. Since the summons was served upon the defendant he had written to Glasby a letter.

Glasby was called, and gave evidence in support of Mr. Gichard’s statements.

In cross-examination by Mr. Fenoughtv, who defended, he denied that the defendant had been a regular customer at his shop for thirteen years, but admitted he had been a catch customer. He was aware that a short time ago a number of members of the Working-men’s Club agreed to purchase meat themselves on the co-operative system. Most of them were his customers, and he did not like it. He, however, did not sell a quarter of a pound of meat less. He had been supplying meat to outside districts.

Re examined by Mr. Gichard, he said they were districts to which he was authorised to supply meat.

P.c. Headlam said he saw defendant on January 27, and told him he had a complaint from Glasby, and defendant said that he probably did use some bad language in his ordinary conversations, but not to Mr. Glasby personally, and did not mean to insult him. He did not mean any violence towards him.

They had had a meeting at the club, and had arranged to stop him from taking any meat out into the country.

Mr. Fenoughty, for the defence denied that his client had used obscene language, and referred to the scheme that some members of the Working-mens’. Club had had for supplying themselves with meat.

His client had had no meat for a month, and worked as a miner, and on the date in question he, went , to Glasby shop to purchase some.

Defendant had been described as a pugilist and held up as a person likely to cause serious trouble. He had some 15 or 16 years ago had the fortune or misfortune up to fight Iron Hague, and was beaten, and since then he had not done any fighting at all. There was no justification for designating him as a pugilist. He was a miner and nothing else.

On three occasion he had offered himself for enlistment, and he had not been accepted, as it was thought he was doing greater National service as a miner. His daughter had been standing three hours in the shop and failed to get any meat.

The Chairman (Mr Verelst) said defendant ought to control his feelings. He was bound over in the sum of £5 to be of good behaviour for 12 months, and had to pay £1 0s 6d