The Western Daily Press Bristol 18 Feb 1824 Suffered from Delusions Wanton Damage to a Taxi includes Ernest Albert OATEN

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The Western Daily Press, Bristol. Monday 18 Feb 1924

Page 7 Column 7


SUFFERED FROM DELUSIONS.

Wanton Damage to a Taxi.

Thomas Reginald STEVENS (41), of 104, Ashley Road, St. Paul's was charged at the Bristol Police Court on Saturday, with being drunk and disorderly and with doing wilful damage to a taxi-cab to the value of £3 10s.

P.C. GANGE, 48 A, said that on Friday afternoon he was called to Ashley Road where Ernest Albert OATEN, the owner and driver of a taxi-cab, told him that the prisoner had damaged the outside panel of his vehicle with some sharp instrument. When witness asked STEVENS if he had committed the offence he said he had done it in temper, adding that he was driven to do it. Witness took him to Bridewell Street Police Station and charged him. In his possession he found a pocket knife and £3 14s 8d in money.

OATEN, the driver, said that his car was stationary in Ashley Road when the prisoner walked by. As he passed he slammed the door of the cab and shouted “Ought to be in Horfield,” repeating it twice over. Shortly afterwards STEVENS returned and witness saw him strike downwards at the panel of the cab, the action being followed by a sound as of cloth ripping. He found that there was a rent one yard long in the panel, and he estimated the repair to cost £3 10s.

The prisoner's wife produced a doctor's certificate to the effect that STEVENS was mentally unbalanced. Supt. HAYES told the Magistrates that the prisoner had suffered from delusions for some time past. He often came to the police station and made various complaints among which were that people were tampering with his letters and that he was seeing red lights.

STEVENS, who said that he was being driven to drink by home worries, was remanded for a week in order that his mental condition might be examined at Stapleton Institution. He was ordered to pay £2 of his money towards the cost of repairing the damage to the cab, the remainder of the cost to be paid within one month.

 

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<NOTES: Ernest Albert OATEN son of Frederick OATEN and Clara HORWOOD, married Emma Jessie CLEMENTS>