UNITED KINGDOM HOTEL, METHLEY

Four young men, named James Rider, George Dews, Luke Smart, and William Hardy, who are employed as coal miners at Allerton-Bywater, were brought up at the West Riding Court, Wakefield, yesterday, on two charges, first, for being drunk and disorderly in the United Kingdom Hotel, at Methley, on the previous day (Sunday), and refusing to leave when requested by the landlord, Christopher Teall; and, secondly, with being drunk and riotous on the highway at Methley.

It appeared that about seven o’clock on Sunday night the men went to the hotel above-named, and after making inquiries about a train for Leeds they sat down in the tap room and called for some beer.

After being served with three pints they began to be noisy, and to indulge in a little “larking,” as they called it, amongst themselves. The landlord requested them to retire, but they refused, and while he was remonstrating with them in walked Police Constable Gill, at whose request the men left the public house. After leaving the hotel the prisoners misbehaved themselves on the public highway, rudely jostling against people returning from church and chapel. All four men were taken into custody, but not without a little trouble, caused by Rider and Dews.

At the police station at Normanton, whither they were taken, the men behaved themselves most disgracefully – The bench imposed a penalty of 7s.6d. and costs, making 15s. 31/2d. on Rider, Dews, and Smart, and 5s.and costs, making 13s. 31/2d. on Hardy, for their conduct in the street, and a fine of 5s. and costs the same three for the public-house affair. Hardy having a fine of 2s. 6d. and his proportion of the expenses to pay.

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