Tiverton Gazette and East Devon Herald Tuesday 31 Oct 1876 Page 8
CULLOMPTON.
PETTY SESSIONS.
YESTERDAY, MONDAY. - Before R. H. CLARKE, Esq., (in the chair) C. R. COLLINS, T. TURNER, and G. M. MARKER, Esqrs.
TRESPASSING IN PURSUIT OF GAME. - George MAYNE, innkeeper, of Kentisbeare, was charged with trespassing in pursuit of game on the 13th October on land, on the Dulford Estate, over which Sir W. CLAY has the right of shooting. - P.C. DYMOND of Kentisbeare, said on the day in question at about three o'clock in the afternoon, he was on duty between Kentisbeare and the Four Horse Shoes, and heard some dogs which he though belonged to the game-keeper. He looked over the hedge and saw the defendant with his dogs. Witness told him he had no right there and he had better go, but defendant said he had a path there to take the cattle to water. Defendant had no gun with him, only the dogs, which he believed were lurchers. - By defendant: Saw no sheep there. - Sergeant BRIGHT said he was with the last witness when the summons was served on defendant. A gipsy was there and defendant said perhaps he was a fighting man like the constable who said he was not afraid of him (defendant). Defendant then said “Why did you not take the b-- rabbits away, I had them in my pockets.” Witness informed him that all he said would be given in evidence against him, and he replied he did not care a d-- they could not fine him more than 40s, and he would pay that then to either of them. - William ROW, the prosecutor's keeper, said defendant had no right to go into the plantation, there was no path there. Defendant said he was not there for the purpose of taking any game or disturbing anything. Mr. MORISH's sheep broke out and he went down to see them as he was afraid they had gone into his mangold field. He did not deny that the dogs went into the copse. - Defendant was fined 40s including costs.
William ROOKLEY, labourer, of Kentisbeare, was charged with trespassing in pursuit of game on land at Uffculme, over which Sir W. CLAY has the right of shooting. - Francis WHITE, farmer, said he saw the defendant on the day in question come out of a field, in the occupation of Mr. DREW at Ashill. Defendant passed him and went on to the top of the hill. Witness having a suspicion that defendant was there for an unlawful purpose, went a short time after in search of defendant and then saw him come over a hedge belonging to Sir W. CLAY. Witness asked him what business he had there, and he said he had been picking nuts, but witness told him he was there for a different purpose than that; and when asked defendant refused to turn out his pockets, but on witness threatening to take him to Mr. WOOD's he did so, when he found he had some nets. - It was stated defendant had been previously convicted at Honiton about six months since for a similar offence. The magistrates fined him 30s including costs.
DRUNKENNESS. - Henry PEARCE, and Thomas ROOKS were charged with being drunk at Silverton on the 15th October. - Jno CARNELL, farmer, of Silverton, said he saw the defendant on the morning in question, and they were quite drunk, and used bad language. - For the defence Edward DOLLING, labourer, was called, and said he saw the defendants on Sunday leave Silverton at 7.45, a.m., they were not then drunk, but he did not mean to say they had not been drinking. - By Mr. Superintendent COLLINS: Did not see them at 9 o'clock. - Fined 13s 6d each including costs. - Richard NEEDS, was also charged with being drunk at Cullompton, on the 20th inst. Mr. Superintendent COLLINS said he was brought before the bench on 5th July last year. The language he used on this occasion was disgraceful. Sergeant BRIGHT proved the case. - Defendant was let off by payment of the costs 8s, and allowed a fortnight to do so.