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itoui ^ovemtjer. uolli cne wuues anu aeceaoeo were much the worse lor liquor.LONG ASHTON PETTY SESSIONS.YESTERDAY.(Before the Right Hon. Sir Edward Frv, Bart., in thechair; Mr. C. R. B. Thorne, Mr. F. Weatherly, MrCharles Hill, aud Mr. J. Bourne.)THEFT OF BACON.Henry Turner and Thomas Ettles were charged with stealing ^Ibs. of bacon, of the value of 2s. 6d,, belonging to John Hardwick. Mr. J. E. G. Saudford (instructed by the Aorth Somerset Licenced Victuallers’ Association) appeared for the prosecutiou, and Mr. H. Holmes Gore defended Ettle*. In opening the case, Mr, Sandford said the prosecutor was the licensee of the George inn, Abbot’s Leigh. On Saturday evening, the IC’th ult., the prisoners were in the inn, and it was alleged that Turner cut off a piece of the bacon, and put it in his pocket. The prisoners left the house, and the prosecutor, coming home shortly afterwards, missed the bacon, and set out in search of the prisoners. He overtook Turner, and, catching hold of him by the collar, put his hand into his pocket, and found the bacon there. He then asked Turner to go back with him to the house, but the prisoner refused, aud struggled and struck at him. After a struggle Turner got away, and was seen to throw away the bacou. Mr. Saudford said he was instructed that the prisoner Turner was lodging with the other prisoner, and suggested that the bacon was cut as a provision for both. The prosecutor gave evidence, and, in cross-examination by Mr. Gore, said that he did not notice that Ettloa was “ a littlesprung.” Tins prisoners had three glasses of rum.P.C. Escott, 1(59 .S, deposed to arresting tlie prisoners, and, in answer to a question from Mr. Gore, said ho had ascertained that Turner had been lodging with Ettle.s. Francis Livings and Alfred James Linge, who were in the inn at tlio time of the occurrence, gave corroborative evidence, the latter stating that he saw Ettle.s give a kuile to Turner, who cut off the bacon. Mr. Gore, addressing the bench on behalf of Ettles, pointed out that the bacon was found on Turner, and said that on leaving the inn Ettles separated from Turner and went his own way. There was no collusion between the men, both of whom had had too much to dri nk. The bench,after a short consultation, fined Turuer 40s., in default a month’s imprisonment, and dismissed the case agaiuot Ettles. Sir Edward Fry said the bench were by no means satisfied with what went on iu the public-houe on the Saturday afternoon. They were of opinion that the. landlord ought to have known That the men were having too much drink, and ought, to have stopped it at an earlierstage.A TfOW BKTWFKN RIVAL ’jUTfi. DRIVER*.George liarrill was summoned lor assaulting Frederick Reed, at Xailsea, Mr. J. E. G. Sand ford prosecuted, and said the complainant was a buftdriver for Mr. Shepstonc, of Nailsea, aud the defendant, who used to be in the employ of Mr. Shepstone, was now in business as a bus driver. The two men frequently met on the road. On December 23rd, the defendant, meeting the complainant at A'ailsea, sworeat him, and caught hold of him by the nose andscratched his face. The complainant having borne out this statement, the defendant told the bench that Reed mocked him, and all he did in return was ta pull off his hat.. He called Robert Poole, 'bus driver, and Ralph Lock, a lad, who deposed to hearing the complainant insult the defendant. The bench thought! it was a very serious assault, and finod tho defendant! 40s. and costs.AT.LKGFD NIGHT POACHING.William Poole, William Kichaide (of Bedmitister), and Edward Poole (of Long Asditon) wcie charged with having, on the 28th ult., entered a field at Long Ashton, in the occupation of Mr, Richmond Harding,of Fenswood farm, the first defendant having a gun, for the purpose of destroying game. Mr. W. j. Sloan prosecuted, aud Mr. J. E. G. Sand ford defended theaccused. Having made an opening statement, Mr. Sloan called George Crane, under-gamekeeper to SirGreville Smyth, Bart. The witness said he was called from his house on December 28th to a gate in a field occupied by Mr. Harding, arid rented from Sir Greville Smyth. Above this field were some woods, in which there were pheasant*. Ifo and Lis son took up their position on the lower side of the fivld, It was pretty dark, tho time being about 6.30 p.m. He heard some persons coming from the wood called George's-hiU. He saw one man coining in front, and t*o men following him. When the fir*t mau reached the gate he said, “The road is clear ; I have I wo barrels loaded yet.” Witness recognised the voice a* that oL the prisoner Edward Poole, whom he had known well for 13 years. Edward Poole held the gate, and William Poole (better known as “ Lion ” Poole) came through first. Witness caught hold of William Poole by Lis coat, and found that ho had a gun under his arm. Tho prisoner threatened to use the gun against him if he did not:stand back. Witness caught hold of the gun, andpushed him down. The prisoner Rkhards (who was known as “Carrier” Richard*) throw stones atwitness, and said, “Give me the gun, and I will shoot the ini of them. Witness's son came to his assistance, and, recognising William Poole, told him to give in, as h«* knew him. Witness returned home, ami found Polioe-sergcnnt Hayes and P.C. Howes, who went back again with him to the field. Them they* found William Poole, whom the police took into custody. MX cavb.uges were lound on him, but the gun was not loa fid; 4t had the appeaianre of Laving be^n recently uncharged. Cross-examined, witness said that lie Jaw the men within three minutes of tho time when ho was called hom his house. He swore that it was Edward Poole whom he saw there, because he knew the man’s voice. He could not tell Richards by his voice, though he had known him two-years. lie should not have known Richards himself if his own son, George Crane, jun., had not recognised him. They lighted matches in order to le able te distinguish William Poole's face. George Samuel Crane, jun., corroborated the previous witness's state-mcnt, and added that he wrestled with Edward Foolfc and threw him to the ground, while Richards threw stones, which struck witness, and badly bruised him on the arms and leg*. Richards afterwards threatened to choke him, and Edward Poole told him to fetch tho gun and shoot witness, adding that if Richards would not do so lie (Edward Poole) would. Richards then went towards witness's lather—the previous witnes* —arid tried to get the gun away while he wasstruggling with “Lion Poole, Witness let go EdwardPoole, who then ran away, and went to his father's assistance. H caught hold of Richards, but afterwards released him, and he ran away. Cross-examined, witness said that Edward Pock- was not currying a gun. Later in the evening he and Police-fcf.rlt;rVant Hayes went to Edward Poole's house, aud saw the prisoner, who told them that he Lad only justgot up from bed. Witness did not give him into custody, because he did not think himself authorised. Henry Pope, of Ashton-hill, Long Ashton, sen of th# head keeper to Sir Greville Smyth, said that he heard a gunshot in the direction of Ueor^eVhiil, and wentto Crane's house to inform him of it. On his way he heard two more shots in the same direction. P.O. Howes, of Bishops worth, and Policc-sergeant Hayee gave evidence, the latter stating that on calling at Edward Poole’s house he saw the prisoner fully dressed. He said he had just risen, and could call half-a-dozen witnesses to prove that he did not go out. Poole had nof then the appearance «f a man who had just got up. When he arrested the prisoner afterwards, he made a statement to the effect that, Laving been out in the afternoon with the other prisoners, he went to bed, but w as called up soon afterwards to play the accordion. Robert Turner, landlord of the Bird-in-Hand inn, Long Ashton, said that, on the day in question the three men leit the house together, between half-past three and lour o’clock. They hadthe gun with them. This was the case lor the prosecution. Mr. Saiidtord, for the defence, said lie didnot propose to resist committal in the case of William Poole, because it was clear that he wa* there, and it would be a question of intent on his part. But, with regard to the other two prisoners, and especially Edward Poole, he should put before tbft bench what he thought was a strong case. Richards was identify d by only one person, the younger Crane,who knew him by his voice. It was admittedly- too dark to distinguish the mens face*. Mr. fcjandford called Sidney Charles Poole, bricklayer, who said he visited Edward Poole's house on the afternoon in question between four and halt-past four. Shortly afterwards Edward Poole came in, and went to bed.Witness went upstair?, and ask-d him to come down and pUy the accordion. Witness was accompanied bv a young woman named Morgan. She could not attend that day, a, she was ill. Cross-examined, be d'-nhn! having said in the court that morning that she was looking all right the night before. When P.C. Hayes came the instrument was still being played.At this stage the bench adjourned the caw; till 11 o'clock this morning.bECOAD CO CRT.1 CTWnre MY C Hill and Mr. C. R. B. Thorne.)
Newspaper Details
Bristol Times and Mirror
Bristol, Gloucestershire, GB
Fri, Jan 01, 1897
Page 3
Full Page
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Denton P.
TX, USA 21 Jun 2018
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