South Yorkshire Times, October 20th, 1951
Thurnscoe Youth’s Arm Injury
Shot While Poaching
A shot-gun with a home-made butt, which had been placed in a hedge until two “spectators” went way, went off when a youth pulled it from a hedge by the barrel, shooting him so that it was possible he would lose the use of an arm.
This was stated at Doncaster West Riding Magistrates Court on Tuesday, when three youths, Percy Bridges and Donald Cartwright both aged 18, haulage hands of George Street, Thurnscoe, and Harold Leeming (18), surface worker, of York Street, Thurnscoe appeared before the court.
Bridges and Leeming pleaded guilty to carrying a gun and with Cartwright pleaded guilty to trespassing in pursuit of game at Hooton Pagnall and Brodsworth.
Bridges, who appeared in court with his arm in a sling was discharged absolutely. The Clerk (Mr. E. W. Pettifer) told him “The bench are taking a very merciful view because of the pain you have suffered.”
Leeming was fined £3 and Cartwright £2.
Chief Superintendent Hunter alleged that the original butt was found on the Hooton Pagnall estate by the gamekeeper, who chased the youths on a previous occasion. Two of the youths had made a butt to fit the barrel when they were seen on the Brodsworth estate on the second occasion, said the Superintendent. He added that Bridges stated that the gun was owned jointly by him and Cartwright.
In a statement Bridges said that he and Cartwright bought a gun for £1 and later “swopped” it for a 12-bore shotgun.
Bridges also stated that when he pulled the gun toward him out of the hedge there was a cartridge in and the gun, being cocked, went off.