Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 13 February 1891

Throwing Stones at Kilnhurst

A Warning to Boys

George Sugden, of Kilnhurst, was summoned for having assaulted a boy named Leonard Smith, also of Kilnhurst, on the 4th inst.

The complainant said he was corning from chapel at Kilnhurst, when the defendant got hold of him and commenced to knock him about. He also kicked him. Mr. Sugden accused him of having thrown a stone at his house door.

Defendant: I saw the complainant throw the stone. I have had Constable Watson watching ” for about six months. I exhibit all kinds of pigeons, and 1 have had one bird lamed that was worth £10. Somebody had thrown a stone at it.

A witness bore out the complainant’s statement. Complainant’s father paid he and his wife were going from Kilner in the direction of their home on the night named when they heard their boy scream. He (the father) immediately ran back, and his son said Mr. Sugden had been beating him. The lad denied that he had ever had a stone in his hand. There was a mark on the lad’s back where he had been kicked. He was fifty yards away when he heard the lad scream.

Another witness was called on behalf of the complainant. He said he had attended to the lad’s injuries. He had a bruise on his body. but as to how it had been caused he could not say.

Defendant admitted having hit the lad with his hat when he throw the stone.

Police constable Watson said he had had numerous complaints from the defendant about lads throwing stones at his windows

There was another case, but in this Mr. Sugden was the prosecutor. He charged the lad with having broken a window, and having committed damage to the extent of 1s. The offence was stated to have been committed on the 21st danuary.

Mrs. Sugden said on the day named, soon after midday, she saw the defendant (the boy Smith) throw a stone at a pigeon on the wall. The missile, however, went against the window, breaking it. Her husband had had many pigeons lamed. Defendant’s younger brother also had a stone in his hand, but on seeing witness be dropped it by the side of him.

The offence was denied.

The magistrates, however, dismissed the assault case, and fined the lad 3s. and coats and ordered him to pay the damage to the window, thirteen shillings altogether.