Bristol Mercury - 03 January 1900

TEMPLE CLOUD POLICE COURT

LICENSING BUSINESS

The transfer of the license of the Hunters' Rest, Clutton hill, for which an application was made from the representatives of Henry Moore to Mrs Jenkins, was refused, owing to the administration of the estate not having been taken out.

Upon the application of Mr J. E. G. Sandford, the license of the Lamb inn, Paulton, was transferred from Frederick Charles Penny to A. H. Payne.

A WARRANT ORDERED

Walter Field was summoned for being disorderly and refusing to quit the Ring of Bells, at Compton Dando, on December 20, 1899, and was also charged with doing wilful damage and assaulting the landlord at the same time. Defendant did not appear. Mr J. E. G. Sandford appeared to prosecute on behalf of the North Somerset Licensed Victuallers' Association, of which Mr William George Sammon, licensee of the Ring of Bells, Compton Dando, was a member. Mr Sandford having detailed the facts, the bench stopped the case and determined to issue a warrant against the defendant. The case would be adjourned for a fortnight.

STONE THROWING AN EXPENSIVE GAME

Arthur Mellish, a respectably-dressed youth, was charged with unlawfully killing a pheasant without a license at Chelwood on December 1. There was a further charge of committing a trespass in search of game upon land at Chelwood, in the occupation of James Wookey, on the same date. Defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges. After evidence bad been taken, the Chairman explained to the defendant that if he killed game from the public highway and did not even enter the land, it was a constructive trespass within the meaning of the Act. The defendant then pleaded guilty to the second charge. The Bench considered the cases proved, and fined the defendant £1 and 12s costs for the first offence, and 5s 6d and 5s costs for the second case, making £2 2s 6d.

A LIKING FOR SUET

Emma Blacker, an elderly woman, was charged with stealing three pound of suet, value 1s 6d, the property of John Harrison and Sons, of Hallatrow, on December 16th. Thomas Harrison said he stopped outside the Blackbird Inn, Paulton, on the 16th ult. He stayed there perhaps two minutes, and left a lad, John Curtis, in charge of his horse and cart. In consequence of what the lad told him, he communicated with P.C. Gould, but the suet was not found. John Curtis, a lad, aged 10 years, gave his evidence in a very clear manner. He was in charge of the cart, and saw Mrs Blacker take the suet. She offered him first a halfpenny, then a penny, and then twopence, saying, "Here, Jack, take it, and don't tell." She offered it to him twice, but he refused. Defendant was fined £1, or a month's imprisonment.

A BAD RECORD

William Chapman, who did not appear, was charged with assaulting John Marks, at Nempnett. Complainant stated that defendant followed him swearing, and he struck him a violent blow, which knocked him silly. After the hearing of other evidence, the bench sentenced the defendant to six weeks' hard labour, The magistrates' clerk said defendant was a man who had a bad record.

CHRISTMAS AT HIGH LITTLETON

Henry Chivers, an elderly man, was charged with assaulting and beating William John Lewis, on December 23, at High Littleton. Defendant pleaded not guilty. After a great deal of evidence and cross-examination, the bench adjourned the case for a fortnight, upon the application of the complainant, for the production of further evidence.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

George Gill, a hay cutter, of Publow, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Publow on December 25th. P.C. Cook proved the case, and defendant, in his absence, was fined 10s and 6s costs, or in default 10 days' hard labour.

Frank Price, a beerhouse keeper, of Bristol, was charged With being drunk and incapable at Chew Magna on December 27th, and was fined 5s 6d and 6s 4d costs.