West Cumberland Times 14 November 1931 Three For One Mistake

Three For One Mistake

Wigton Cyclist’s Costly Mistake. Norman MORLEY, 21, Water Street, and William MORLEY, 3 Half Moon Lane, Wigton, were charged at Wigton Police Court, on Tuesday, with riding bicycles without lights, at East End, Wigton, at 11-50 p.m. on the 19th October. Mr. J. P. HETRHERINGTON, solicitor, Wigton, appeared for the defendants, who pleaded “not guilty.” P. C. BECK, Wigton, gave evidence as to seeing the defendants with no lights. He said they were in the company of another cyclist who had a light. A street lamp gave a very good view of the road. All three cyclists passed through the rays of the street lamp and dismounted about 50 yards from the Roman Catholic Church. When spoken to Norman MORLEY replied   “You cannot do anything   with us. We were walking when you stopped us.” William MORLEY replied, “Yes, that’s so, and it’s three to one.” Witness examined the machines and found Norman MORLEY’s  to be without  lamp or reflector. Witness asked him why he had been riding without a reflector, and he replied, “You could not see me riding.” William MORLEY’s lamp was cold and in a dirty state. Witness requested their names and addresses, and Norman MORLEY replied, “ I refuse to give my name or address.” William MORLEY replied, “You won’t get mine either.” Witness again asked for their names and   addresses, but received nothing but impudence, especially from Norman MORLEY. He  followed them to 29 Water Street, where he again requested their names and addresses, but was refused. On the following evening, in company with Sergt. KENNEDY, he saw Norman MORLEY at 29 Water Street, but great difficulties were encountered in tracing William MORLEY. Cross examined: He agreed that if the men were walking no offence had been committed. The light was good. Mr. HETHERINGTON: That is rather unusual for Wigton Gas. (Laughter). The Clerk: I do not agree with you there sir. Wigton is noted for very good gas at present. (Laughter). Sergt. KENNEDY, Wigton also gave evidence. Mr. HETHERINGTON said that he thought the policeman had been mistaken and he asked the Bench to dismiss the case. It was a silly mistake for the men not   to give their names when requested, but they thought that as they were doing nothing wrong they were under no obligation to do so. Joseph SHARP, Plaskett;s Lane, Wigton, said he was with the defendants on the night in question. None of them rode their bicycles after Spittal. He did not agree that anyone saw them riding past Kirkland Road End. William MORLEY said that he had an oil lamp on his bicycle. He had had it lighted that night and he put it out at the Spittal because his friend told him it was “reeken.” He did not agree that the policeman saw them riding. He did not give his name because he had done nothing wrong. Cross examined: He put the lamp out because there was no reason to use the oil. There was nothing to obstruct the policeman’s view. A list of six previous convictions were put in against the elder defendant. The Chairman said the elder defendant, Norman, had a rather bad record, but he had not been there for some years, so the Bench had not taken too much notice of that, but they had taken into serious consideration the question of not giving names. That fact alone showed that the defendants had guilty consciences. Norman MORLEY would be fined 20/- including the ordinary costs, or 14 days, and the other defendant 12/6 or 14 days.

 

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