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…, on Monday, 8th December. The case was proved by Mr. Superintendent Stephenson, who deposed that defendant had cut enough to load a donkey cart. He produced one piece measuring about 15 feet in length. Defendant was adjudged to pay 8s. 6d. damage and costs, and was allowed a fortnight to pay it in.
— LEAVING A HORSE AND CART.—William Welch, of Buckmore Farm, was charged under the Turnpike Act with leaving a horse and cart without control in the turnpike road, between the Petersfield Railway Station and the Railway Accommodation Inn, on Tuesday, the 16th Dec.—P.C. Charles Butler deposed to seeing defendant lead a horse and cart from the railway yard through the gates at the crossing, and there turn them adrift and return to the yard, after which he saw no more of him. He (witness) went after the cart, and overtook it about 200 yards from the crossing; there was no one with it at the time.—Defendant said he had done what his master ordered him to do—no more no less. He never had charge of the horse and cart at all, but had charge of some beasts which he was going to take by rail to Chichester. His master told him to take the horse and cart from the yard over the crossing on to the road before the train came in, and he did so. His master said he would follow and take charge of the cart.—P.C. Butler, on being re-called, stated that just as he overtook the cart Mr. Parr came along on horseback, and took charge of it, and abused him (witness) for interfering in the matter.—The Magistrates remarked that it was a very bad case, and fined defendant 10s., and 7s. 6d. costs. The Chairman animadverted severely on the recklessness of turning a horse and cart adrift on a turnpike road, close to a railway station, just as a train was due, and informed defendant that if loss of life had ensued he might have been indicted for manslaughter, and his master would have been liable to an action for damages.
— DAMAGING A TREE.—Thomas Pinnix, of Chalton, James Cousens, and Henry Wells, were charged with damaging a lime tree in the avenue of Idsworth Park, on Tuesday, the 16th Dec. It appeared from the evidence of James Budden that the three defendants were out in search of mistletoe, of which, in all probability, no notice would have been taken, but for the wanton mischief which they perpetrated in obtaining it. Having descried a bunch growing on a branch of one of the lime trees in the avenue, they mounted the tree and cut off the limb, measuring 15 feet in length. Cousens and Wells did not appear, but service of summons having been proved by P.C. James Hatcher, the case was proceeded with in their absence. Pinnix was fined 1s. and 7s. 6d. costs, and the others 6s. each and costs 4s. 6d. each.
— A SAD CASE.—George Waller was brought up under remand, charged with stealing, on the 16th instant., 1 lb. of candles, the property of his employer, Mr. C. J. J. Crassweller, grocer, of this town. P.C. H. Elderfield’s evidence was previously that given in the case of Langford, reported above, adding that he searched prisoner, and took from his trousers pocket the lb. of candles, which he now produced.These candles were identified by Edward Graves, an assistant in Mr. Crassweller’s shop, as being similar to some which they had in stock, and tied with a similar string. He also identified a paper bag, in which the candles were found on prisoner, as similar to the bags which are kept in Mr. Crassweller’s bakehouse and used for flour, but are never used for candles. Prisoner admitted that the constable found the candles upon him, but said that if he had met them in the Square before they entered the Bell he would not have found them on him then. The Chairman having read the usual caution, asked prisoner if he wished to say anything. He replied: ‟I shall reserve my defence.”—Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, on the 6th January proximo. Bail allowed, himself in £50, and two sureties of £25 each. (See also 11-Dec-1862)