[Content warning - The last two cases in this article are a case of domestic abuse caused by PTSD, and a case of indecent assault against a child. I have marked both with (content warning) next to their respective titles.]
Buntingford Petty Sessions
Friday last, before Col. Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis (Chairman), Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Capt. H.H. Williams, Mr H.C. Marshall and Mr Claud Fraser.
POOR RATES
Poor Rates were signed for six parishes as follows: Rushden 5/4 in the pound, Cottered 5/4, Buckland 5/-, Westmill 5/-, Layston 5/- and 3d. lighting rate, and Aspenden 5/-.
LICENSING
Mr H.S. Buckley applied on behalf of Messrs. Barclay Perkins & Co., for permission to make certain structural alterations to "The Angel" Inn, Buntingford. He submitted plans.
Supt. Wright said the whole thing was an improvement, and the Bench granted the application.
A full transfer was granted of the licence of "The Chequers" Buntingford, from Alfred Bardwell to William James Burnell; also the licence of "The Golden Fleece," Braughing, from Frederick Warr to Frank Cole; and of "The Jolly Butchers," Hare Street, from William Choldcroft to William Baker. Mr Choldcroft has been landlord of "The Jolly Butchers" for 36 years.
APPLICATION FOR POSSESSION OF COTTAGE
Mrs Lilian Edis, of Baldock Road, Buntingford, applied for possession of a cottage, tenanted by Mr William Smith, which she said she required for the storage of furniture. She made a lengthy statement in a very excited manner, and said she had only 13s. 6d. a week to live upon, and had to pay rates and taxes, and then went on to say, "please let me have my cottage so that I can live. I want to live and I have a right to live."
The Chairman said the case had been heard previously at that Court and adjudicated upon, and the Bench could not help her at all. He showed that the law had been complied with, and advised her to seek legal advice.
MOTOR CAR DRIVER FINED FOR REFUSING TO STOP
Leonard Harold Johns 930), motor driver, of 28, Boland Street, Battersea Park, who did not appear, was summoned for refusing to stop when requested by a police officer in uniform.
P.C. Gillett [? piece torn out] on September 25th he was on duty [?] High Street, Buntingford, near the police station and saw a motor car coming from the direction of Puckeridge, pass three other cars travelling in the same direction with a distance of between three and four hundred yards.
He put up his hand for the defendant to stop, but he looked at witness and went on. Witnessed telephoned Royston for the defendant to be stopped, but the car was not seen. It was, however, traced to London and the drive seen.
The Bench had received a letter from the defendant, in which he denied driving at excessive speed, and said he never saw the police officer or he should have stopped immediately.
P.C. Gillett said Johns was driving at the rate of 40 miles an hour, and that he looked right at him (witness) and saw him quite clearly. A find of £5 including cost was imposed.
NO LIGHT TO BICYCLE AT BUNTINGFORD
Alfred Wiber (25), a clerk, residing at Chipping, was summoned for riding a bicycle without a light at Buntingford on October 27th. The defendant did not appear.
P.C. Gillett said he was on duty at Buntingford on October 27th at 9.55 p.m. and saw the defendant riding a bicycle from the direction of Puckeridge and on his way to Chipping. He had no lamps. Witness stopped him and took his name and address, and said by having no light he was dangerous to himself and others. The defendant was cheeky when the summons was served.
The Chairman said it was a bad case. The defendant had not appeared to answer the charge, and would be fined £2.
DRUNK IN CHARGE OF A HORSE
John Anthony (50), a farm labourer, of Reed, who did not appear, was summoned for being drunk in charge of a horse at Buntingford on October 21st.
Stanley Sell said he was coming home from work on October 21st, at 5 p.m., and saw a man at Sandon cross roads leading a horse that was running from one side of the road to the other. The man fell over. There was a deal of traffic on the road, and Sergt. Dean took charge of the horse.
Sergt. Dean said at 6 p.m. on the date named he saw defendant leading a horse near Corney Bury, Buntingford. He was drunk and staggering all over the road. There were several motors on the road and one touched the horse and knocked the man down. He took the man to the police station, and released him from custody on bail at 10.45 p.m. The man never disputed being drunk. A letter was received from the defendant stating he was not drunk.
P.C. Whyman, who saw the defendant at the police station, said he was drunk and smelt strongly of drink. He never asked to see a doctor.
Mrs Anthony said her husband did not arrive home till nearly 12 p.m. He was a good husband, and had a good army character. He had had nothing to eat that day since breakfast, and only had one pint of beer. For six years he had had no beer.
Sergt. Dean said when the man was released he said if he had a pint of beer it would turn him silly.
The Chairman in fining the defendant 50/-, said the Bench had taken a lenient view. As a point of beer had such an effect upon him, he had better absolutely stop taking it altogether.
APPLICATION OF ARMY PENSIONER'S WIFE (content warning)
A woman came for counsel to the Bench as she was in bodily fear of her husband, an army pensioner.
Dr Fell said the man joined the Army and was shell shocked. That so upset his mind that he had tried to commit suicide. He was detained for a time, and seeming better, came home. He was, however, subject to outbursts of temper and passion, though perfectly rational when witness talked to him.
When he got moody he had violent attacks of passion and frightened his wife. He was quite a nice fellow, and this was the fag end of a mental disarrangement due to shell shock. He advised that he should go back for treatment at Sidcup Hospital for at least six months.
The applicant who seemed much distressed, said for the children's sake she was absolutely in favour of Dr Fell's suggestion, and it was left to him to make arrangements.
INDECENT ASSAULT AT BROADFIELD (content warning)
Harry Hills, (26), a greengrocer, of 51, Stanmore Road, Stevenage was summoned for indecently assulting a child of 8 and a half years of age, at Broadfield on October 16th. He was defended by Mr W.C. Brignall, solicitor, of Stevenage, and pleaded not guilty. The case occupied the Court a considerable time.
Evidence for the prosecution was given by the parents, the little girl, Nurse Tunwell, who examined the child the evening after the assault, Walter John Hurry and his brother, Frank Edward Hurry, and P.S. Dean.
For the defence, Dr Grosvenor, of Stevenage, and Mr George Walter Griffin, of Hitchen, spoke in the highest terms of the defendant's character, and the defendant gave evidence stating he never touched the child in any way.
His wife spoke of his return home on the day at 4 p.m., and the solicitor urged there was no corroboration and the evidence was not enough to commit the defendant.
The Bench retired, and on returning into Court the Chairman said they were agreed on a verdict of guilty.
Supt. Wright said the defendant led a respectable life and his associates were respectable. Since these proceedings were taken two other complaints had been received of similar offences committed by the defendant during the past three months.
In sentencing Hills to six months' hard labour, the Chairman said it was a dastardly and abominable crime committed on a child only eight years old.