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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 10 Apr 1901
Page 5 Column 3
BOROUGH POLICE-COURT.
WEDNESDAY. - Before the Mayor (Councillor W. A. WRENN), Alderman W. POTTER, and Mr. W. POOLE.
DRUNK AND MOLESTING A CONSTABLE. - William WYATT, labourer, of King-street, pleaded guilty to two charges, one was for being drunk and disorderly, and the other was for obstructing P.C. DENNING while in the execution of his duty. - The evidence of P.C. DENNING showed that on the 30th ult., while on duty in South-street, he saw the defendant and his brother in a drunken condition. While endeavouring to get the brother away the defendant interfered with the constable twice, and ultimately the latter got someone to keep him back while he got away with the brother. Defendant was fined 10s and costs for molesting the constable, and 5s and costs for being drunk and disorderly. - Robert WYATT, the brother, also pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, and was fined 5s and costs.
“NOT SOBER AND NOT PROPERLY DRUNK.” - Rose Hannah GIBBONS, described as a married woman, and until recently staying at a coffee tavern in Paul-street, was brought up in custody on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. - Mr. C. P. CLARKE appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. - It appeared from the evidence of P.C. BERRY that shortly before midnight the previous Monday, 1st inst., he was called to the coffee tavern at Paul-street, kept by Mrs. JONES. He proceeded upstairs and found the defendant and Mrs. JONES in a bedroom. Defendant was using most dreadful oaths, and threatening to kill Mrs. JONES. The constable stayed outside the bedroom for ten minutes, until she commenced to attack the landlady. He then entered the room, and prevented her from getting at Mrs. JONES. Defendant was very excited all the time, caught him by the belt, and he had the greatest difficulty in getting away from her. He begged her to keep quiet, and said if she did so Mrs. JONES would let her stay for the night. She continued to use bad language, and said she did not care whether she was locked up or not. She came downstairs into the street, and the constable put her back twice into the coffee tavern. When she came out the third time he put her into the Court in Paul-street, where her mother lived. As she would not stay there, he put her back again into the coffee tavern. She persisted in coming out into the street, continuing to use beastly language, that he was compelled to take her into custody. She was drunk at the time. - By Mr. CLARKE: She had been in custody ever since. From what the constable heard during the disturbance he gathered that there was a dispute between the defendant and Mrs. JONES as to some furniture. - Mrs. Sarah JONES gave evidence that the defendant had been staying at her house, and about 11 o'clock on the previous Monday night she wanted to take her box away. Witness wished her to do so the next morning, and at this the defendant became greatly excited, and made a great disturbance, so much so that she was obliged to send for the police. All she had to drink in her house was a pint of beer. - The Mayor: I thought it was a coffee tavern – Witness explained that the beer was sent for. - By Mr. DERHAM: Defendant was not properly sober, and she did not seem to be properly drunk. (Laughter.) - Superintendent DURHAM said he had heard many definitions of drunkenness, but not one like that before. (More laughter.) - Fred LANE, a lamplighter, gave corroborative evidence as to the defendant's disorderly behaviour in the street, when he was putting out the lights in the lamps. - Mr. CLARKE, in defence, contended that Mrs. JONES herself was the cause of the defendant's disorderly conduct by the provocation she gave. - He called the defendant, who gave her account of the scene, which was to the effect that she was upset by Mrs. JONES. Defendant said that all the drink she had had that day was a pint of beer. - Superintendent DURHAM said there were seven previous convictions against the defendant for being drunk and disorderly under the name of Rose STONE, and she had been to Exeter Gaol repeatedly for that kind of offence. - The Bench took into consideration that the defendant had been in custody since Monday night, and fined her 10s, inclusive of costs.
SCHOOL CASES. - Orders were made against Thomas John BRICE, George HANNAFORD, Helen DIBBLE, of Magdalen-lane, William BICKNELL, of Spread Eagle-court, and William SMITH, of 3 Court, East Reach, for the non-attendance of their children at school; and Tom VIRGIN was fined 12s 6d, inclusive, for disobedience to an order; and John DAVIS 2s 6d for a similar offence.
LICENSING. - The transfer of the license of the New Inn, Wilton, was made from James DEE to William George BOWYER. - An extension of time was granted to Elizabeth MANLEY, of the Cherry Grove Inn, Rowbarton, from 10 o'clock at night until 6 a.m. on Good Friday, on the occasion of the engine-drivers and firemen's annual dinner. - An occasional license was granted to Robert McAULAY, of the Nag's Head Hotel, for the County Cricket Ground on Easter Monday in connection with the sports. - John NORTON, of the Old Angel Inn, was also granted an occasional license for a dance at the Parade Assembly-rooms on the 11th inst.
ADJOURNED. - Clement LEAPER, of Taunton, was summoned by his wife for, as she alleged, his neglecting to provide reasonable maintenance for her. - Mr. C. P. CLARKE was present on behalf of the complainant, and Mr. E. H. WATSON appeared for the defendant. - On the application of the solicitors in the case the magistrates granted an adjournment for a week, with a view to a settlement being arrived at.