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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 23 Dec 1931
Page 5 Column 8
TAUNTON POLICE-COURT
ARRESTED A SECOND TIME
ERRAND BOY ACCUSED
A DISORDERLY WATCHET LABOURER'
WEDNESDAY. - Before the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. C. Harold GOODLAND), Miss M. I. UPTON, Mr. F. W. PENNY, and Mr. R. B. QUICK.
LICENSES AND CHRISTMAS-EVE
Mr. F. W. WILLMOTT (Messrs. CLARKE, WILLMOTT & CLARKE, Taunton) applied, on behalf of the Taunton Licensed Victuallers' Association, for extension of hours for the sale of intoxicants from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Christmas-eve, Boxing-day, and New Year's-eve. If the Bench could not grant this application the licensees hoped they would agree to extend the hours from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on December 24th, which would be regarded as an ordinary market-day in Taunton, as Saturday was Boxing-day. Mr. WILLMOTT said the applications were being made for the convenience of the general public.
After the magistrates had retired the Mayor said that extension would be granted from 2 to 4 p.m. on Christmas-eve, thus making the hours on that day the same as on an ordinary market-day. There would be no extension on the other days mentioned.
CHIMNEY ON FIRE
Thomas Lionel EDWARDS, labourer, of 5? Yarde Place, Wood-street, was summoned for allowing the chimney of a dwelling-house to be on fire. - He was fined 5s.
NO WIRELESS LICENSES
Alfred Henry DOBBINSON, 16, Charter-road, Taunton, and Robert BERRY, 108, Lambrook-road, Taunton, were summoned at the instance of Mr. Henry John HART, G.P.O. official, for working wireless apparatus without a license. - Defendants, who admitted the facts, were fined 10s each.
ERRAND BOY'S ALLEGED THEFTS
Leonard STACEY, an errand boy, of Coal-furze Cottage, Buckland St. Mary, was charged with stealing a pair of grey flannel trousers, and one sports jacket, value £2 10s and the property of Mr. H. P. SMITH, The Bridge, Taunton, on November 9th. There was a second chard of stealing , between October 14th and December 14th, a lady's wristlet watch, value £3, the property of Mr. SMITH.
Inspector RANSOME stated that STACEY, after being admitted to bail, was re-arrested late the previous night on the second charge. He was not in a position to proceed with the latter case, and asked for a remand until the following Wednesday.
This was granted, accused being allowed bail.
“ABSOLUTELY PARALYSED”
Robert John BINDING, labourer, of Mill-lane, Watchet, admitted a charge of being drunk and disorderly in Greenway-road, Taunton, on December 12th.
P.C. DENNETT stated that at 10.50 p.m. he saw BINDING falling about the road in a drunken condition. He was also shouting and using indecent language. Witness told defendant to pull himself together and clear off, but he took no notice and refused to give his name and address. Witness arrested him, and on the way to the Police-station he became violent. In Station-road witness met P.C. WATTS, who assisted him in getting defendant to the Police-station. Defendant was latter admitted to bail.
Defendant told the Bench that he was exceedingly sorry for what had happened. “I apologise to the constable.” said BINDING, “because undoubtedly I gave him a lot of trouble. I was 'absolutely paralysed' and did not know what I was doing.” Pleading to be given a chance, for the sake of his wife and six little children, defendant said that he had entirely made up his mind to turn over a new leaf and not to touch any more liquor. He had drawn unemployment benefit, off and on, for a considerable time, but had always worked when he could get work. On the Saturday in question he paid his train fare to Taunton and had little money left, but he met two friends, with whom he played skittles and who “treated him”; otherwise he would not have got drunk.
Inspector RANSOME stated that BINDING, a native of Watchet, was last before the Court on June 1st, at Williton, when he was fined £1 for being drunk and disorderly.
Defendant was fined £1 and allowed a month to pay.