Mexborough and Swinton Times August 30, 1919

Bad Assault on a Policeman

On Monday, at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court, two Thurnscoe miners, James Fairhurst and Thomas Derbyshire, were summoned for having been drunk and disorderly, doing damage to policeman’s helmet, and assaulting PC Horne early on Sunday morning.

The officer said he met the first team going on the road at 2 a.m., carrying a bag. When he asked what he had got he retorted with the question as to what that had got to do with him. He refused to give an account, and there was a disturbance; the other defendant also assaulted him. One had a hatchet, and in addition to being struck and kicked he was struck over the shoulders with the hatchet

PC Wain came to his assistance.

The defendants denied the offence, said the officer came into their backyard and interfered whilst one of them was going to the coal house.

Having been drunk and disorderly in the each ordered to pay 7/6, the damage 5/11, and for the assault they were each fined £5.