Bad Language To A Lady Conductor.

From the Halifax Courier 7 October 1916.

BAD LANGUAGE TO A LADY CONDUCTOR.

John Dewhirst, 36, St. Paul's-road, Halifax, was summoned for using offensive language to a lady tram conductor on. Sept. 13.  Mr. W. H. Pollitt said that on Sept. 13 defendant got on a car at Mytholmroyd; and put a basket of fowls on the tram front.  He paid 2d. for his fare to Luddenden Foot.  A lady conductor told him she wanted 1d. for luggage.  He replied with offensive language, and would not pay.  She went for the driver, and defendant used offensive language to the driver, also to another driver who was called.

Mr. H. Boocock for the defence, pleading guilty, said the dispute arose about the penny.  She evidently thought it should be paid, and he didn't.  There was no disrespect intended to her.  Defendant was "a farmer sort of chap," and didn't know exactly what he was saying.  He was a respectable man, and had been in the employ of the Corporation a good number of years.
The Chairman said the Bench considered it a very serious case.  Lady conductors would have to be protected by the authorities.  It was very disgraceful on the part of a man to terrorise a girl who was simply discharging her duties in a proper manner.  They wished it to be thoroughly understood that the Bench would deal severely with cases of that kind.  In this instance, defendant would be fined £1, and 6s. costs.