PETERSFIELD PETTY SESSIONS.
TUESDAY.—Present, Sir A. K. Macdonald, Bart., and J. Waddington, Esq.
STEALING A COAT AT STEEP.—John Wilson was brought up in custody, charged under the Criminal Justice Act with stealing from the dwelling-house of John Vokes, in the parish of Steep, on Thursday, the 10th inst., one coat, value 5s. Prisoner was seen by a little boy named Levi Philps to go to the house and return with a coat under his arm, about two o’clock in the afternoon, at which time the wife of complainant was away from home. Prisoner on the same day pawned the coat at Portsmouth, in the name of John Grey, for 3s.: the nest day he sold the ticket for 4d., and the day following was taken into custody, and in his pocket was found a button exactly corresponding with those on the coat, from which there was one missing. The coat was identified by Mrs. Vokes. Prisoner having elected to be tried by the magistrates, and pleaded guilty, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour. (See also below)
KILLING A PHEASANT— Alfred Eade was convicted on the evidence of James White of killing a pheasant on Tuesday, May the 8th, in the parish of Blendworth. Fined 10s. and costs 9s. 6d., or, in default, 14 days’ imprisonment with hard labour.—Defendeat, not being prepared to pay, was removed in custody. (See also below)
STEALING PHEASANTS’ EGGS AT BURITON.—John Gillman and John Strugnell were charged with taking 13 pheasants’ eggs from a nest in the parish of Buriton, on the 7th inst. Strugnell did sot appear, but service of summons having been duly proved by P.C. Abrahams, the case was proceeded with in his absence, and both defendants were convicted and fined 50s. each, with costs 6. 3d. each. Gillman paid his share of the money. (See also below)
THE FARM LABOURER AND HIS MASTER.—William Boniface was charged with unlawfully leaving the service of his master, Mr. Vinson, of Liss, on Saturday, 13th inst. Defendant did not appear. P.C. Charles Troke proved service of summons. It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Joseph Vinson that defendant was a weekly servant at 10s. a week, and was at liberty to leave on any Saturday night without notice. On the day in question his master paid him his full week’s wages about the middle of the day, and he was at work in the field, and defendant almost immediately after put his horses into the stable and left, and did not return till Monday morning. Mr. Vinson stated that he had played him the same trick before. The magistrates ordered an abatement of 2s. wages due to defendant, and adjudged him to pay the costs, 7s. 6d, or to be imprisoned for seven days with hard labour. (See also below)
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HARE.—William Blunden who did not appear, but on whom P.C. Hayter proved service of summons. was charged, on the information of P.C. Henry Elderfield, with having unlawfully in his possession a hare, on the 17th inst. Elderfield deposed to meeting defendant at the entrance to Petersfield from the Portsmouth-road, last Thursday afternoon, about half-past four o’clock. There was a man with him named Moses Marsh, and a boy named Alfred Eade (the boy who had just been convicted, as mentioned above). From his previous knowledge of them as poachers he asked Blunden what he had got in a basket which he was carrying in his hand, to which he replied ‟nothing.” Witness, however, took the basket from him, and found in it a hare recently killed and still warm. He told him he should keep it, to which he replied ‟Very well, it's not mine.” Several former convictions were put in, and defendant was fined 50s. and costs 9s. 6d., or in default two month’s imprisonment with hard labour. (See also below)
LITTLE CHILDREN TAKING PHEASANTS’ EGGS.—Elijah Hill, a very little boy, about nine years of age, but who looked even younger than that, was charged with taking three pheasant’s eggs, in the parish of Buriton, on Sunday, the 6th inst.—Albert Lambert deposed to watching defendant searching round two meadows when there were pheasants’ nests, and to seeing him place three eggs in a bank and cover them with grass. He (witness) went immediately to the spot and found the eggs covered with loose grass. —The boy’s father attended, and said he had a large family, worked hard, and sometimes could scarcely get bread; he knew nothing of the boy doing it, and when he heard of it he gave him a severe flogging. He was reminded, however, by Mr. Waddington that it was only a few weeks since two other of his children were before the bench on a similar charge.—The magistrates deferred their decision till they had heard the next case, which was a charge of a like kind, against George Seal, another boy of about the same age, who was convicted, on the evidence of Luke Gumbrell, of taking one pheasant’s egg at Buriton, on Sunday, May the 5th.—In this case neither the boy’s father nor any one else appeared on his behalf.—Mr. Waddington, in delivering the judgment of the bench on these two cases, said the magistrates felt themselves placed In a very painful position in having to deal with children of such tender years, and they regretted that they could not deal with the parents, and others by whom children were encouraged in these evil practices. The fine in each of these two cases would be reduced to 1s. an egg, instead of 5s, but the costs were in each case 9s. 6d., and the money must be paid forthwith, or in default the boys would be sent to prison for seven days.—Both the children were removed in custody. (See also below)
LEAVING A HORSE AND CART IN THE HIGHWAY.—John Janaway pleaded guilty to leaving his horse and cart in the highway for three-quarters of an hour, at Horndean, on Thursday, May 17th.—Fined 5s. and costs, 7s.—Defendant, who had stated at the opening of the case that he was rather hard of hearing, became, on the announcement of the magistrates’ decision, so extremely deaf that on being told he had 12s. to pay, he exclaimed, ‟Eight shillings!” and on the amount being repeated, he exclaimed, ‟Oh, ten shillings!” and the figured had actually to be placed before him in black and white before he could be made to realise the full extent of his liability. (See also below)
AN ASSAULT AT HARTING.—William Haylock was charged with assaulting John Fossey, in the parish of Harting, on Friday last, by striking him on the shoulder with a stick.—Defendant is gamekeeper to S. Rowe, Esq., of Nursted House, and complainant is a little boy living with his parents near Goose Green. On the day in question defendant caught the boy in a meadow where there was no footpath. He asked him his name, which the boy refused to give, whereupon Haylock took him by the wrist, and said if he did not tell him his name he would take him to a policeman. The boy resisted, made use of bad language, and bit his hand. He told him if he did that agin he should put his stick across his back. Having gone a few paces, the boy again seized defendant’s hand between his teeth, and he then struck him across the shoulders with the stick he had in his hand.—The mother of the boy having requested the magistrates to look at the bruises, proceeded to strip him, but there was very little to be seen.—Defendant was fined in the nominal sum of 6d., with costs 7s. 6d. (See also below)
TO RECOVER A TENEMENT.—Colonel John Butler applied for a warrant to recover possession of a tenement occupied by Mrs. Corpes, on a monthly hiring. The tenancy, and also the service of the requisite notice having been proved, a warrant of ejectment was issued, execution to be stayed for twenty-one days.—A like application by Mr. Thomas Moody as against Frederick Stevens, failed in consequence of an informality in the notice, applicant having served the notice himself personally on defendant, and said he did not think it signified about his signing it, and he had not done so. He was told that he must re-commence proceedings. (See also below)
Chichester Express & West Sussex Journal — Tuesday 29 May 1866
PETERSFIELD.
PETTY SESSIONS, May 22. —Present; Sir A. K. Macdonald and J. Waddington, Esq.
STEALING A COAT AT STEEP
— JOHN WILSON was brought up charged with stealing a coat, the property of John Vokes.
Jane Vokes deposed to being the wife of John Vokes, and living in the parish of Steep. Recollected leaving her cottage on Thursday, the 10th of May, at half past two o’clock, at which time her husband’s coat was just inside the door, and upon returning in three-quarters of an hour she missed the coat.
Jane Witcomb deposed being the wife of Joseph George Witcomb, pawnbroker, living in St. Mary’s-street, Portsmouth, and to a person coming to her shop on Thursday, the 10th of May, and putting a coat on the counter, and asking 5s. for it. Witness gave him 3s. for the coal and on the next day delivered the same to woman who brought ticket (produced and identified) which was in the name of John Gray.
James Poole deposed to keeping a second hand at 2, Armoury-lane, Porsmouth. On the 11th of May the prisoner brought a pair of trousers, for which he gave him 1s. 6d. and an old pair. The prisoner at the same time offered a ticket for sale, for which he gave 1s. 10d. Witness continued —I sent Mrs. Smith with the ticket and she brought this coat, which he gave the next morning to P.C. Henry Savage.
Levi Philps (a little boy) deposed to living in Steep Marsh and to seeing the prisoner go to Mrs. Vokes’s house on the day named, after dinner, and return with a coat which he had not when he went. It was a black one.
By the Clerk—I call this one black (the colour was a dark blue).
Henry Savage, No. 66, Portsmouth police, deposed to receiving information from Mr. Poole, on Saturday, the 12th of May, and to receiving the coat produced, and to apprehending the prisoner in Charlotte-street, Portsmouth, when he charged him with stealing the coat, and upon searching the prisoner, he found 5¼d. and a button in his pocket, which perfectly corresponded to a missing one from the coat.
Mrs. Witcomb said the value of the coat was 5s.
Prisoner put no questions to either of the witnesses, elected to be tried by the magistrates, and had nothing to say in his defence.— Sentenced one calendar month’s hard labour.
TAKING FROM HER NEST AND KILLING A HEN PHEASANT.
— ALFRED EADE (a young lad) appeared to answer the charge.
James White deposed—On the 8th May, about half-past eight o’clock in the morning, I was walking out of the end of the With Hanger, in the parish of BIendworth, when I saw Alfred Eade; he appeared to be hunting for pheasants’ eggs; upon seeing me he ran round a turning, and I lost sight of him; I tracked him over the down, when he ran back to the end of Withanger, and all at once I heard a tremendous flutter in the dell, 30 yards away; I went there, and found him under same brambles and a hen pheasant lying alongside of him; I took her up and she died in my hand.
By the Magistrates—I am in the employ of Sir Jervoise, as ferreter and assistant watcher. &c.
The prisoner said he knew nothing about it, and was fined 10s. and 9s. 6d. costs, and, in default of payment, was taken away in custody.
TAKING FIFTEEN PHEASANTS’ EGGS.
— JOHN GILLMAN, a carter, STRUGNELL, his mate, in the employ of Mr. Edward Shenton, of Buriton, were charged with having 15 pheasants’ eggs in their possession, concealed in one of their horses’ nose bags.
A police-constable deposed—On the 7th of May. at a quarter to four in the afternoon, I met Gillman and Strugnell in New Barn Lane, in the parish of Buriton, each riding a horse. I took hold of Gillman’s horse and said, ‟What you got here.” He said “nothing.” I then said, ‟How many eggs have you got.” He said “none.” I then searched Strugnell’s nose bag and took another nose bag out, when I found 15 eggs. They came from Haydon Hanger in Mr. Shenton’s occupation.
George Holmes, gamekeeper to J. Bonham Carter, Es., deposed to being on Monday, the 7th of May, in New Barn Hangar, near Haydown Hanger, and about one o’clock saw Gillman go into Haydown Hanger, searching the brambles. He heard him say, ‟Will you have some marbles.” After which he saw him give something to Strugnell in the field when they were rolling some barley.
They were told by the magistrates, after being suitably admonished, that under the new act, each were liable to the penally of £5 and sentenced each to pay a fine of 50s., and costs, 6s, 3d., or two months hard labour. —Paid.
LEAVING HIS MASTER’S SERVICE.
— WILLIAM BONNY (who did not appear) was charged with leaving his master’s service contrary to agreement.
It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Joseph Vinson that on the 27th of March he agreed with the defendant to go with his horses at 10s. per week, and that he could leave on any Saturday night. On the 28th of March the defendant entered upon service and continued on till Saturday, the 12th of May, up to which night he was paid his full wages. At twelve o’clock in the day he left his horses and went to the Flying Bull, and went to his work again at seven o’clock on Monday morning, when he was told by his master that he did not want him, as he left his service on Saturday, and that he should apply to the magistrates.
Ordered to forfeit 2s. which was due, and to pay the costs 7s. 6d., or in default, to be committed to the House of Correction for seven days.
A HARE IN A HAND BASKET.
— WM. BLUNDEN, who had several times been previously convicted, and who did not appear, was charged with unlawfully having a hare in his possession.
P.C. Henry Elderfield deposed—On the 17th of May, Thursday, at half-past four in the afternoon, I saw William Blunden come into the town from the Portsmouth-road, in the parish of Buriton, with Moses Marsh and boy named Eade, with a brown dog carrying a hand basket. From suspicion, I stopped Blunden, and asked him what he had got. He said, nothing. I took the basket out of his hand, and found in it a hare quite warm. I told him I should keep it. He said, “Very well, it’s not mine.”
Sentenced to pay 50s., and 9s. 6d. costs, or two months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
MORE PHEASANTS’ EGGS.
—ELIJAH HILL, a little boy, between nine and ten years of age, was charged with taking three pheasants’ eggs.
Albert Lambert said—I am assistant gamekeeper to Mr. Carter. On Sunday, May 5th, at half-past two in the afternoon, I saw defendant searching round Binden-meadow. About an hour later I saw him searching round another called Little Lawn. There were several nests there. I watched him towards his home, and saw him go to the bank in Pill Mead, and cover up three eggs under some grass. I then went and found the eggs there.
Defendant pleaded not guilty, and was ordered to stand back for the hearing.
LEAVING A HORSE AND CART.
— JOHN JANNAWAY, a hawker, was charged by P. C. Henry Grant, with leaving his horse and cart for three quarters of an hour in the public highway, at Horndean, on Thursday, the 17th of May, and being absent all the time from the same.
Defendant, a peculiar-looking man, pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s., with 7s. 6d. costs, who thereupon exhibited odd symptoms of deafness in not understanding the full amount of fine and costs.
ASSAULT CASE.
— WILLIAM HAYLOCK, gamekeeper to S. Howe. Esq., of Bursted House, was charged with assaulting John Fossy, a boy, on Friday, May 18th.
From the evidence of complainant it appeared that he got over a fence into a meadow, when Haylock hit him over the shoulder with his stick, and then took hold of his hand and pulled him down the meadow, and said he should put him in prison. The defendant stated that on the day named he found the complainant in a meadow, where there was no footpath, when he asked him his name, and the hoy refusing to give it, he took him by the hand and said he should take him to a policeman, upon which complainant bit his hand and resisted. Haylock then told the boy that if he bit him again, he should lay the stick over his shoulder. Directly after tho boy again severely bit his hand, when he struck him with the stick.
Ann Fossy, the mother, a native of the Sister Isle, residing at Goose Green, in the parish of Harting, was about to open a battery of words upon defendant, but being checked, she solicited to exhibit the bruised back, which being exposed, little could be seen.—Defendant was fined 6d., with 7s. 6d. costs.
RECOVERY OF A TENEMENT.
— Application was made by Col. John Butler, of Empshott Terrace, to recover possession of a tenement in the occupation of MARY CORPS, in the parish of Empshott. The notices were proved by Thomas Marshall, and a warrant of ejection was granted after 21 days.
A SIMILAR APPLICATION.
— Mr. Thomas Spender Moody made a similar application for ejectment against FREDERICK STEVENS, in the parish of Steep; but upon the the production of the notice, which was not signed, the application was dismissed.
ANOTHER CASE OF PHEASANT’S EGGS.
— GEORGE SOLE, another boy, who said his age was nine years, was charged by Luke Gumbrell, gamekeeper to Mr. Bonham Carter, with a similar offence, who deposed—On Saturday, the 5th of May, at one o’clock in the day, I saw George Solo in East Field, looking into the hedge till he came to Pill Mead, where he stepped into the ditch and put his hand into the bank. It further appeared from the evidence of complainant that upon his going to defendant he found he had dropped an egg, which he found was broken under his foot. Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Elijah Hill was then ordered to stand forward, when both defendants were ordered to pay a fine of 1s. for each egg, 9s. 6d. each for costs, or seven day’s imprisonment.