Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 09 November 1883
Allowing Pigs to Stray
Wm. Collier, jun., was charged with allowing two pigs to stray on the highway at West Melton on the 23rd ult.
Mr. H. E. Hickmott appeared for the defence.
Police-constable Hutchinson stated that he saw two pigs straying on the highway at West Melton on the 23rd ult., about a quarter-past one. He saw the defendant and asked him how he accounted for the animals straying near his premises.
In answer to questions from Mr. Hickmott, witness said he went in the Star Inn, Rawmarsh, but Mearns was not present.
Police-constable Mearns stated that on the day named he was in company with Police-constable Hutchinson, when he saw two pigs in the road near Collier’s premises.
The Chairman asked the witness how long the animals had been observed, and he said about five minutes.
The Chairman said his reason for asking the question was that if the pigs had only escaped from Collier’s premises five minutes it showed “sharp practice” on the part of the constables.
Mr. Hickmott cross-examined the policemen at some length with a view to proving that some animus existed between the constable and the defendant, on account of the latter having stated in the witness-box that Police-constable Mearns was drunk on the occasion when a case was taken against a man named Biram for having been drunk in charge of a gun.
He also stated that the police had paid Biram a guinea so that proceedings should not be taken against Police-constable Mearns.
Superintendent Hammond, however, stated that since the evidence given last week he had actually traced Biram to a public-house, and had the landlord’s evidence as to his having been there drinking. He had previously paid a guinea, but if Mr. Hickmott wished to go on with it he would take proceedings against Biram for perjury.
The Chairman said the statements made by Mr. Hickmott only injured his case.
The defendant’s father was called, and stated that Police-constable Hutchinson had threatened to “do” him if he had to sit up night and day. He could not find out the person who heard the constable use the words in question.
Police-constable Hutchinson said he never used the expression, and the defendant knew it. He was swearing falsely.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ridley said that the animals had only just escaped from Collier’s premises when the constables appeared.
A fine of 5s. and costs was imposed.
The Chairman (to Mr. Hickmott): The Bench think there is no foundation for the charge against the constable. We don’t believe the statement of your client.
Mr. Hickmott: Unfortunately I have not been able to bring out all the facts.