Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 23 September 1927

Doctor’s Certificate Saves Wath Man.

Ralph Dawson, a miner, of 10, New Hill, Wath-on-Dearne, appeared on remand at Barnsley yesterday on a charge of stealing a horse valued at £3O, the property of Luther Northern, from a field at Monk Bretton.

The smartness of Wakefield police constable was mentioned; Chief Constable Butler said the constable saw Dawson leading the horse, and becoming suspicious, followed him into the yard of a public house, where Dawson asked the landlord to make him an offer for the animal.

Chief Constable Butler said that Dawson had been examined as to his mental condition, and in view of the doctor’s certificate he did not propose to offer any evidence provided that the man’s relatives would undertake to look after him.

Dawson’s mother and brother promised care for the accused, and in discharging Dawson, the Chairman (Mr. T. Fox) said the certificate had saved him from serious consequences.