4th June 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before The Hon. Baron C.R. Dimsdale (in the chair), Mrs Dimsdale, Col. C. Heaton-Ellis, Claud Fraser, Esq., and Capt. H.H. Williams

No Driving Licence

John William Lawler, of 19, Half-Moon Street, Piccadilly, was summoned for failing to produce a motor driving licence, at Buntingford.

P.C. Williams said he was on duty at Buntingford at 1.30 a.m. on 9th April, when a car approached from the direction of Royston. He signalled the driver to stop, and asked to see his driving licence. The defendant searched in the pocket of the car, but could not find the licence which he said must have been left at home. He said the licence was in order as it was a new one.

Inspector Herbert said investigations had been made by the Metropolitan Police, and it was found that defendant's driving licence expired on 8th Sept. 1925.

The Chairman said a letter had been received from the defendant, who was not present in Court. After consultation, the Bench imposed a fine of £1 and 4/- in costs.

A Rate Summons

J. Franklin, of Buntingford, was summoned for non-payment of a Poor Rate for the Parish of Aspenden. The Assistant Overseer, Mr J. Boniwell, stated that the rate was made on 30th November last, and that personal application had been made for payment.

The defendant's son said they were under notice to quit when demand for payment was made, and he thought it was a legal point whether they were liable to the charges.

The Chairman said that as the defendant was in occupation for the whole period of the rate there was no doubt that the rate was due. On [sic] order for payment would be made, and th distress warrant would be held over for one month to enable the defendant to pay.

7th May 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Lieut-Col C.H. Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., Mrs Dimsdale, and Capt. H.H. Williams.

POOR RATES

Poor rates for the following parishes were presented by the Overseers and signed by the Justices.

It was stated that with the exception of Layston parish there were no arrears: Layston Poor Rate 5/-, lighting 3d.; Aspenden Poor Rate 5/-, lighting 6d.; Wyddiall Poor Rate 5/-; Buckland 4/8; Throcking 6/-; Little Hormead 5/-; Braughing 4/8.

AN ARREARS CASE

Jack Cecil Cook, of Hay Street, was summoned by Mr H.J. Andrews who stated that money due under an affiliation order had not been paid. The defendant did not appear, and the Chairman signed a warrant for his arrest. The police left immediately, and brought defendant to the Court within a few minutes.

P.C. Gillett then gave formal evidence of arrest. He stated that he had just arrested the defendant in Harestreet.

Asked by the Chairman why he had paid no money under the order made in November last, the defendant said his wages were only 25/- per week; his father was ill, and there were two children at home.

The Chairman said the defendant would have to pay or go to prison. He had not attempted to pay anything. Defendant would be committed to prison for one month, but the order would be suspended until Friday, May 7th, to enable the defendant to pay.

CHAIRMAN'S ADVICE TO A YOUNG LAD

A Buntingford lad was summoned by his late employer for stealing a shilling. The defendant's late employer stated that he did not wish to press the case as he had had no previous trouble with the lad.

The Chairman, who said he knew the lad's parents were very respectable, gave the defendant some good advice, and bound him over for two years.

NO LIGHT

Gladys Cook, of Hay Street, Braughing, was summoned for riding a cycle without a light at Westmill, Buntingford.

P.C. Williams said he was on duty at Westmill on 12th April at 8.40 p.m., when he saw a cyclist approach. He signalled to her to stop as he noticed there was no lamp on the machine. He asked her for an explanation and the defendant replied "I have been to the hairdressers; I did not think I should be there so long."

The Chairman read a letter from the defendant, who did not appear.

Supt. Wright stated that the defendant was a sister of the defendant Cook who had been brought up on arrest.

The Chairman, in imposing a fine of 10/-, said the family seemed to have no respect for the Court. He also instructed the superintendant to see that the girl was informed that had she been present the magistrates might have taken a more lenient view of the matter. She had not appeared and would therefore be fined.

19th Nov 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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[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.

16th Dec 1927 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

A Lengthy Agenda

A number of cases were down for hearing at the Buntingford Petty Sessions, held on Friday last. The proceedings lasted until nearly 5 p.m. Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E, presided, other magistrates present being Mrs Dimsdale, Capt. H.H. Williams, Mr Claud Fraser, and Mr G.W. Pepper.

LICENSING

An application for sanction to alterations at "The White Hart," Puckeridge, was granted. Mr Claud Fraser was appointed representative on the Hertfordshire County Probation Committee, and the Bench fixed Friday, February 3rd, for the annual licensing meeting.

The licence of "The George and Dragon" Hotel, Buntingford, was temporarily transferred to Fredk. S. Brigham, the Chairman commending the late tenant, Mr J.E. Holmes, on the satisfactory way the house had been managed.

Application for the temporary transfer of the licence of a beer house at Westmill from David Rayment to Albert Coxall was granted.

NON-PAYMENT OF RATES

Frank Brand, of Harestreet [sic], Buntingford, was summoned for non-payment of poor rate, amounting to £5 18s. 1d. 

An order for payment was made.

A STRAY DOG

Wilfrid Bentley, of Harestreet, Buntingford, was summoned for allowing a dog to stray at Little Hormead.

P.C. Gillett, who proved the case, said that when he spoke to defedant about the offence defendant remarked "I shall have to put up with it, I can get off with paying."

Defendant, who did not appear, was fined 10/- including costs.

ANOTHER DOG CASE

Henry Pigg, of Biggin, Buntingford, was summoned for allowing a dog to stray at Harestreet, and for failing to have name and address on the dog's collar.

The defendant told the Bench that he did not know it was necessary to have one's name and address on a dog's collar.

The Chairman said he was afraid that it was not generally known.

Supt. Wright: I will see that notice to the effect that the owner's name and address must be inscribed on a dog's collar, are posted in the district.

The Chairman: You will be fined 5/- including costs in each case, Mr Pigg, and in future you and I must read the posters. (Laughter).

GAME TRESPASS

Fred Warner, of Council Cottages, Ardeley, Stevenage, was charged with game trespass at Ardeley.

Thos. Hugh Sale, of Coates Manor, Ardeley, gave evidence of seeing the defendant in a field at 7.30 a.m. on 14th October. The witness saw defendant shoot at a pheasant. When witness spoke to him about it the defendant replied "Tell your father I will sting his pheasants up when the moon shines."

Alfred Carter, game-keeper, of Westmill, gave evidence, and after consultation the Chairman said it was quite clear the defendant was trespassing in search of game. The first witness had said that defendant put the barrels of his gun into his pocket when he left the field; this was not a proper action. There would be a fine of 15/- including costs.

SEQUEL TO A BUCKLAND DANCE

Horace Dearman, of Back Lane, Rushden, was charged with stealing a gent's overcoat, &c, at Buckland, on 21st October.

Thos. William Lawrence said he attended a dance at Buckland on the date in question. He had an overcoat, which he out on a chair in the lobby. He put his cap in the pocket of the overcoat. When he went for his coat after the dance it was missing.

George W. Andrews, of Cottered, said he attended the dance mentioned. When he came out into the lobby after the dance the defendant Dearman handed him a cap, saying "Here's your cap." The witness later found that it was not his cap, so it put it on his bicycle.

P.C. Hill gave evidence of interviewing defendant, who made a statement on the following Sunday morning.

Mr G.H. Maughan, of Messrs. Chalmers-Hunt & Co., represented defendant. The whole affair, he said, was a mistake. The defendant went to a dance at Buckland and put his coat on a chair in a very small and badly lit lobby. When he left the dance he picked up what he thought was his own overcoat and went home in it. He (Mr Maughan) agreed that the defendant should have reported the mistake to the police the next morning.

The defendant, in the witness box, told the Bench that he did not know he had the wrong coat until he was nearly home, when he heard something rattle in the pocket. In the pocket he found a tin of carbide, a scarf, belt and clips. He admitted to the Bench that his own coat differed a great deal from the one he took and also that his own coat pockets were torn.

After consultation, the Bench dismissed the case.

INTERESTING POSSESSION CASE

A case in which a Mrs Page, a London schoolmistress, applied for possession of a cottage at Sandon Lane, owned by her and occupied by Jonah Brown, was dismissed because the solicitors acting for the applicant had failed to read over a statutory notice at the time it was served to the defendant Brown.

Mr H.G. Woolfe, barrister, appeared for Mrs Page, and stated that the cottage was purchased in 1926, as Mrs Page, who was in ill health, wished to live in the country. The rent was 2/- per week. Defendant had been offered alternative accommodation. He was a thatcher by trade and the cottage offered him was quite suitable. The applicant had been paying rent for some time in respect of the cottage who had been offered Brown, in the hope that he would accept it.

The question of the notice to quit was discussed by the Bench. The notice was served through the post, but Brown, who was not respresented, although warned by the Chairman that he need not answer the question, admitted that he had received the notice to quit.

The question which led to the case being dismissed was one which the clerk put to the solicitor's clerk, Mr L. Hutchinson: "Did you serve the notice to appear at this Court, on Brown?" asked Mr Gisby. "Yes," replied the clerk. "Did you read it over and explain it to him?" "No."

The Chairman said he was in sympathy with Mr Woolfe, but the law had not been complied with. The statutory notice must be served personally, read over and explained.

The solicitor's clerk explained that defendant had used bad language to him and that he could not read the notice over to him.

Mr Woolfe said it seemed ridiculus to have to adjourn the case just to enable him to go through the formal business of reading over a statutory notice which Brown admitted having received.

The Chairman said they had no other course but to dismiss the application.

AFFILIATION CASE

A Buntingford woman applied for an affiliation order against Leonard Ward, of Wakeley Cottages, Buntingford. When the case came before the Bench in September last it was dismissed.

The applicant was represented by Mr H. Lathom, the defendant being represented by Mr R. Hartley, of Royston.

The hearing lasted over two hours and at the close the Chairman said the Bench had come to the undoubted conclusion that Ward was the father of the child. An order would be made for the defendant to pay 7/6 per week till the child reached the age of 16 years.

Defendant would also have to pay the cost of the day's proceedings and £1 1s. towards the cost of the confinement.

APPLICATION FOR POSSESSION

Hugh W. Sale, of Coates Manor, Ardeley, made application for the possession of a cottage owned by him and in the occupation of A. Culver. The man had received a week's notice to quit.

Mr G.H. Maughan, of Messrs. Chalmers-Hunt & Co., represented defendant, and told the Bench that the tenancy was a yearly one. When Calvert paid his rent, which he did by cheque, Mr Sale entered the rent in thr rent book as though it had been paid weekly.

Mr Sale submitted a certificate from the Agricultural Committee. He particularly wanted the cottage for a stockman. Alternate accommodation had been offered Calvert.

The Chairman said that in the eyes of the law Calvert was a yearly tenant and would have to be served with a year's notice for the application to be in order. The case would have to be dismissed.