Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 26 September 1902
Farm Damage at Swinton.
Benjamin Newey, aged 13 and William Slater, aged 12 were summoned for having on Sunday the 7th ins done damage to a growing fence on the farm at Roman Terrace in the occupation of Mr Alfred Mawson. Newey did not appear.
PC Blenkinsop said he was on duty at the farm on the morning in question, in plain clothes, when he saw the defendants cross a field, and get over a fence that belongs to Mr Mawson. They passed over, and through the hedge 3 or 4 times. Eventually they got up a tree, when he caught them.
Alfred Mawson, the farmer, fixed the damage at 60 each.
Slater was fined 2/6 and Newey 4/6.
William Davies, aged 12 and Walter Varley aged 13 were summoned for having done damage to wheat in the same farm on the same day. They were seen by PC Blenkinsop and Alfred Mawson to throw sheaves of wheat about.
Mr Mawson said that from £40-£50 was of wilful damage had been done by boys interfering with the wheat.
The defendants were each ordered to pay 2/6 costs and damage.