March 26 1898 Police Court - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

March 26 1898 Police Court

POLICE COURT.

Wednesday, March 26RD.

Before F. P. JOHNSON, Esq. (Chairman), R. G. GRAHAM, and J. P. LAW, Esqs.

THE SEQUEL TO POLICE SUPERVISION.

JAMES COWAN BELL, rag gatherer, Gelt Road, was summoned for permitting his
premises to be used as a brothel on March 20th. Defendant was not present,
but was represented by his wife.
    Evidence in support of the case was given by Superintendant SIMON and
P.C. RALPH, who together watched defendant's house from half-past twelve
till two o'clock on Saturday morning. Superintendant SIMON said that he had
no knowledge of defendant having habitually or previously allowed his house
to be used for this purpose, but defendant, when charged before the Court
some time ago, with using bad language, complained that he was annoyed by
people going to his house, and a watch was kept on it in consequence.
    The Bench considered the case fully proved, and inflicted a fine of £1
and costs, £1 11s in all. The CHAIRMAN said if defendant was brought up
again on a similar charge, it would be a serious matter for him.

BOTH SIDES AGREED.

WILLIAM WAUGH, roadman, West Hall, was summoned for being drunk on the
licensed premises at the Moorcock Inn, Lanercost, on the 9th inst. He
pleaded not guilty, but asked for an adjournment till next Court day, as his
witness, niece of the landlord of the Moorcock, was unable to appear.
Superintendant SIMON said he also wished an adjournment, as the constable
who should have proved the case, was ill with influenza. The case was
adjourned.

ALWAYS THE WOMAN.

MICHAEL BOYD, mason, Gelt Road, and MARK MARTIN, labourer, Brampton, were
summoned for unlawfully creating a breach of the peace by fighting on the
19th inst. Seargeant BROWN deposed that at 9-40 p.m., along with Police
Constable BEVERLEY, he saw a great crown gathered in Front Street, opposite
MR. RIDDELL's vaults.
    On going there, he found defendants fighting, and causing a great
disturbance. He got hold of BOYD, and BEVERLEY of MARTIN, and separated
them. They then went home with their friends.
    MARTIN said that it was only a scuffle. He was in a public house with a
friend, and BOYD and two friends were in. BOYD had a dog, and his friend
had a dog, and they got on fighting. He remarked "Let him worry him" when
the whole three attacked him. The woman was the worst, she gave his friend
a black eye with a key. There would have been no fighting but for the
woman. They knew her well enough - MRS. CAPPS. He was not going to let two
men and a woman knock the face off him when he could defend himself.
    Defendants were bound over to keep the peace for three months in £5
each, and ordered to pay costs 7s 3d each.

A CONSIDERATE DEFENDANT.

GEORGE HARRISON, labourer, Common House, Lanercost, was summoned by JANE
LITTLE, Domestic Servant of the same place, for assaulting her on March
14th. He did not appear.
    Complainant said she was engaged at Common House as domestic servant.
Defendant was her mistress's brother. On the day in question he came home
about five o'clock and went out again. He returned about half-past nine.
He was under the influence of drink.
    He struck her, and when she threatened to summon him, he took her by the
neck. She went to a neighbour's house for the night. She and defendant had
had some words the Sunday night previously. Her mistress was away ill, and
he sent her to bring her home, but she could not come, and he was angry at
her.
    Complainant had no witnesses, but P.C. HUTCHINSON said he had seen
defendant who was employed at the Gas Works, at the SHAWS. Defendant told
him he could not leave his work, there was no one else to take his place.
He admitted the offence, saying he was too drunk to know what he was doing.
    The Bench fined defendant 10s and costs, 23s in all.
The CHAIRMAN: I suppose we shall have to give him time, as he is not here.

COMPLAINANT: I will pay the fine; he gave me the money this morning. [
laughter ].