Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
The
Western Times; Exeter Friday 12 Jul 1878
Page 7
CULLOMPTON.
PETTY SESSIONS – Monday. - Before W. C. RAYER, G. M. MARKER, and T. TURNER, Esqrs. - John WALTERS, shoemaker, was charged with stealing, on the 6th, 2 cwt. 13lbs, of coal, value 1s 6d, the property of Mr. R. FARRANT, of Growen Farm, Cullompton. Mr. PAYNE appeared for the defendant. Defendant was employed at the time of the offence assisting at the Cullompton Railway Station unloading coal trucks, when he asked Edward BALE, a lad carting it away, to hold up a bag whilst he put in the coal. He did so, and it was put on to the cart by defendant, and another man asked to help him. He gave the lad a half- pint of “half-and-half” to cart the coal to Cullompton, telling him to leave it at the “Bishop Blaize” (the name the New Market House was called for many years), or to leave it at the corner of Tiverton-road. The lad left it at the public-house, in the entrance to the yard. Information in the meantime had been given to Joseph HANCOCK, foreman to Mr. FARRANT. He followed the lad, and saw the coal at the public-house, where he was soon joined by defendant, who requested him not to say anything about it. Mr. PAYNE, for the defence, endeavoured to show the lad BALE to be the guilty party, but it did not avail, and defendant was sent a fortnight to gaol, - William CHAMBERLAIN, labourer, was charged with refusing to leave the Bradninch Arms Inn, Bradninch, when requested, on the night of June 10th. - Defendant did not appear. P.C. KNAPMAN proved service of summons, also to being called to put defendant out of the house. Fined £1 including costs. - James RUCKLEY was summoned by Henry BAKER, of Kentisbear, for the non-payment of 15s alleged to be due to him for wages. - Defendant who takes draining jobs, employed complainant to help him. He stated that he agreed to work for defendant for 2s per day and cider, that on the last week in April there was 5s left unpaid; the first week in May 3s; the last week in May, 5s; and the following Monday 2s, total 15s, on which latter evening he and defendant had some dispute and he told him to leave his work, which he did. - Defendant did not deny the money was due as wages, but said he did not agree to find cider, and during the time he (complainant) had worked for him he had paid 14s as prosecutor's share for cider; he therefore only owed one shilling. There was no written agreement between the parties. - Complainant persisted in his statement as to being allowed cider. - The Magistrates considered 2s per day and cider was not too much for wages, and ordered the 15s claimed to be paid, and 8s costs. - Tom COOMBE, thatcher, was summoned for assaulting at Kentisbeare on Midsummer eve Richard RUGG, his sister's husband. - Defendant admitted striking complainant, but pleaded great provocation. - The parties were requested, from their close relationship, to go out of court and settle their differences, but they declined the advice. From the evidence it appeared that complainant and his wife live with defendant's father. Defendant had been told he could not be allowed to go to his father's house, “as his brother-in-law dared him not to.” He went and some words arose upon which defendant struck complainant several times. - Fined 12s including costs. - Richard RUGG was charged with being drunk on the 24th of June on the highway at Kentisbeer. Tom COOMBS, his brother-in-law gave the information, and swore to seeing defendant in that condition. William ROOKLEY also swore to defendant being drunk at that time. - Fined 12s 6d inclusive. - John HORNSEY, butcher's assistant, was summoned for allowing his dog to be at large and not under proper control on Saturday at Cullompton. - Defendant did not appear. Sergt. YOLE proved service of summons, and also seeing the dog at large on the day in question. Defendant had been cautioned by him to keep his dog under control. - Ordered to pay 8s costs. - John Lee GASSET and William CLAPP, shoemakers, pleaded guilty to being drunk on Saturday at Cullompton. Defendants were seen by Sergt. YOLE in an almost helpless state, and were taken to the lock up. Fined 6s each or a week in gaol. - They chose the alternative.