The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 12 Nov 1869 Cullompton Petty Sessions

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 12 Nov 1869 Page 7


CULLOMPTON.

PETTY SESSIONS, Monday. - Before the Rev. J. P. SYDENHAM (chairman), C. R. COLLINS, Esq., and Rev John HUYSHE. - George HODGE was summoned for non-compliance with an order of ejectment made on him to quit a cottage which he occupied at the village of Plymptree, the property of John SANDERS. The question was whether the letting was weekly or quarterly. - The Bench were in considerable doubt about the matter, the evidence being contradictory, and adjourned the case to the next court, the complainant to produce his book containing the original entry of the monies he had received for rent from the defendant, and the defendant likewise to bring his receipts for rent. - The complainant said he could not get the defendant out of the cottage, and was receiving no rent from him. - James ROOKLEY, was summoned for an assault on Mr. HAWKINS, of Kentisbeare, on the 30th October. - Mr. BURROWS appeared for the complainant – It appears that the defendant was engaged by the complainant doing some draining work on his land. Mr. HAWKINS had occasion to make some complaint about a portion of the work, and told the defendant he should not pay him until the work had been inspected. The defendant became very excited, and commenced abusing the complainant, and subsequently took up a three-pronged fork and held in a threatening attitude in the complainant's face. - Mr. HAWKINS stated to the Bench that he was afraid of the defendant, and wished to have him bound over to keep the peace. - The defendant made a long statement to the Bench verifying the assault complained of. - The Bench were of the opinion that defendant might have had some provocation, but still that was no justification for the assault. They fined him 10s. and costs, and upon the application of Mr. BURROWS the defendant was bound over in his own recognizance in the sum of £20 to keep the peace for six months. - Richard GIBBINGS, an elderly man, was charged with stealing oats, the property of Mr. George GILLUM, farmer, of Burlescombe. The case came under the Criminal Justice Act. - The prisoner was a farm labourer in the employ of the prosecutor, and was suspected of having taken some things. The prosecutor's son examined the prisoner's pocket and found a handkerchief full of oats. The prisoner said he had taken them for his donkey. He now pleaded guilty to the charge, and said he was very sorry. - Mr. GILLUM said the prisoner had hitherto been a man of good character and had lived with him for forty years. - The Bench dismissed the case, with a caution to the prisoner as to his future conduct, Mr. GILLUM not pressing the charge. - The Bench however reminded the prisoner that if Mr. GILLUM had not kindly withdrawn from pressing the charge they would have had no alternative but to send him to prison. - George PARRINGTON, a young man, was charged with a violent assault on the person of Wm. QUICK, an elderly man. - Mr. BURROWS appeared for the defendant. - On Thursday last the parties met at the Railway Hotel, and tossed for a pint of beer, the complainant winning it. The defendant took hold of the complainant by the collar and struck him most violently in the face, which rendered him quite insensible. - The defendant denied that he first struck the complainant, as the complainant took hold of his collar. - The Bench remarked that it appeared hardly possible the complainant, who is a very short man, could take hold of complainant's collar, unless he jumped on a bench and did so. (Laughter.) - The defendant called two witnesses who tried to disproved the complainant's evidence. - The Bench said they considered the defendant had acted in a most cowardly manner. They could not place sufficient credence on his witnesses' evidence, and fined him 30s. including costs, or one month's hard labour.

 

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