South Yorkshire Times, November 3rd 1933
In Row – Troublesome Customer At West Melton
Walter Adams (25), miner, West Melton, was fined 20s. at Rotherham on Monday for having been drunk on licensed premises on September 29th, and Ernest Harrison (32), innkeeper, Crown Inn, West Melton, was ordered to pay 4s. costs for permitting the offence.
Mr. A. H. Jackson pleaded “Not guilty” on behalf of Harrison.
P.c. Harrison said that at 8-30 p.m. he was called to a disturbance at the Crown Inn. On going into the tap room he saw Adams, who was drunk, swearing and wanted to fight. Harrison was there, and said, “I want this man turning out.” Adams was asked to leave and would not, but caught hold of witness round the waist and tried to pull him onto the floor.—P.c. Marooney came in and helped witness. Witness asked Harrison where Adams had got his beer from, and he said “Here.”
The next day witness went to the Crown and told Harrison he would be reported for permitting drunkenness, and he said, “He was not exactly drunk.”
P.c. Marooney, P.c. Evanson, and P.sgt. Slaughter also gave evidence.
Adams said he had had only two pints, and denied that he was drunk.
Jack Churchill, West Melton, said that in order to prevent trouble when Adams caught hold of P.c. Pearson, he knocked Adams out.
Mr. Jackson, for Harrison, said he was only a young licensee. If he had been experienced he would have summoned Adams for not leaving the premises when asked to. Harrison said he went into the “best room” to serve a customer when he heard a noise in the taproom. He went into the taproom and saw Adams and another man fighting. He asked Adams to leave, but he would not. Harrison said it was he who sent for the police.