Mexborough and Swinton Times March 16, 1940

Hullabaloo Hovland Licensee Visits Wombwell

 Assaults On Police

Locked up at Wombwell Police Station after an assault on the police, Reginald Hinsley (47), licensee of the Strafford Arms, Hoyland, screamed at the top of his voice, banged on the door of the cell and created such a disturbance that at two o’clock in the morning he had to be taken to Barnsley.

This statement was made at the West Riding Police Court, Barnsley, on Wednesday when Hinsley. who appeared with sticking plaster on his forehead, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaults on the police. P.Supt. H. P. Varley said that in view of prisoner’s conduct he had doubts as to whether he was a suitable person to hold a licence. Hinsley pleaded guilty to being drunk but not guilty to the assaults on the police officers,

P.c.’s R. M. Hensby and Frederick Smith. Supt. Varley said that at 10-40 the previous night prisoner was standing outside the Prince of Wales Hotel at Wombwell causing a disturbance. Thomas Jones, a Wombwell miner, who knew him, tried to pacify him and get him home but he struck at Jones and knocked him into a shop window. Jones then went for the police. When P.Sgt. Kenny tried to get Hinsley away he struck at the officer also and missed, the officer evading the blow. Hinsley fell and cut his forehead On getting up he again struck at the officer. The Sergeant took him to Dr. Taylor’s and while in the surgery he behaved more or less like a maniac With the assistance of P.c.’s Hensby and Smith Sgt. Kenny took him to the police station. On the way he kicked and struck the officers several times and his conduct at the police station was such that they had to take him to Barnsley during the night.

“He was carrying on like a madman,” said the Superintendent.

“One Too Many”

Thomas Jones, miner, 5. Rimington Road. Wombwell, said he had been with Hinsley previously and knew he had had “one too many.” He went to speak to Hinsley and Hinsley struck at him. “I saw he was heading for trouble,” said witness, “so I went back and tried to get him into a taxi but he would not have it.”

Witness went on to say that when the sergeant came up Hinsley again started flinging his arms and legs about and finally fell on his face. When he got up his face was covered with blood. At the police station he started banging on the cell door. Hinsley called witness a foul name.

At this point the Chairman (Mr. G. H. Norton) thanked Jones for coming forward and speaking the truth.

P.-Sgt. Kenny said Hinsley incessantly banged on the cell door and screamed at the top of his voice and they were obliged to bring him to Barnsley at two o’clock in the morning Hinsley said he had no question to ask. He had not been well for a week and bad had “one ton many.” He had no recollection of what happened.

“I am sorry it I did anything out of the ordinary,” said Hinsley. “I had friends with me and I cannot understand why they did not take me home.”

The Chairman: This is a very bad case indeed. You must have been mad drunk. We have to protect the police. Hinsley was fined 20s. and costs for being drunk and disorderly and £5 and costs for the two assaults on the police.