Sarah
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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal and Western Advertiser Wednesday 20 May 1936
Page 5 Column 6
TAUNTON BOROUGH COURT.
THEFTS FROM STORE.
MARRIED WOMAN'S LAPSE.
WEDNESDAY. - Before Mr. A. J. WEST, Mrs. C. MINETT, Dr. R. L. MEADE-KING, and Mr. R. B. QUICK.
The Bench granted a temporary transfer of the licence of the New Inn, Trinity-street, from Mr. Alfred SOLLOWAY to Mr. Hubert John BRACHIER.
THEFT FROM STORE.
Mrs. Helen COOMBES, of Netherclay Villa, Bishop's Hull, was charged on bail with stealing articles valued 1s 7½d from Messrs. F. W. Woolworths' Stores, East-street, on May 6th. She pleaded guilty.
Ivor Victor HAILES, manager of the store, stated that at 6.15 p.m. in consequence of a communication he kept accused under observation. He saw her take a cycle bulb from the gas counter, a pair of white shoe laces from the boot counter, and a packet of dye from the paint and polish department. She did not pay for these articles, but made other purchases in the store. As she left the premises he stopped her and asked her to return. She admitted taking the articles mentioned and also several other things which he had not see her take. These were a tin of vaseline, a powder-puff and case, a comb cleaner, a kettle know and an ear plug.
P.C. LONG, a plain clothes officer, said he saw Mrs. COOMBES detained at the store. When told by the manager that accused had admitted taking the articles she said, “Can you withdraw it?” At the police-station she replied to the charge, “I cannot say anything.”
Mrs. COOMBES, who was sobbing throughout the case, made no statement to the Bench except to express her regret.
Inspector DREDGE said there were no previous convictions against accused, who was a respectable married woman.
The Chairman said in view of accused's good character she would be bound over for twelve months. She was ordered to pay 15s costs.
MISTAKE IN FORM.
Gordon Kenneth James ENGLAND, commercial traveller, of Lyde Vale House, Yeovil, was summoned for obtaining a driving licence while disqualified by reason of age. He was represented by Mr. R. W. YOUNG, Taunton, and pleaded guilty.
Mr. Alfred PAGE, local taxation officer, explained that in June, 1934, defendant applied for a licence to drive motor-cars and motor-cycles, and stated on the application form that he was under 21 years of age. The licence was granted. On June 26th of last year he applied for a licence to drive any class of motor vehicle and declared on the form that he was over 21 years of age. A licence was granted. In January of this year he reported that he had lost his licence and applied for a duplicate. On this form he gave his age as 19 years 7 months. As a result he was interviewed by P.C. GREGORY, of Yeovil, and shown the two forms. He said, “The only reason I can think of for putting my age as 21 is that I must have overlooked it, as if it read 'are you under 21 years of age?' The only motor vehicles I shall ever want to drive, or have driven, are motor-cars and light vans.”
Mr. PAGE added that the County Council did not suggest that it was a serious case, but in view of the fine points on which questions of third party risks turned the magistrates would appreciate that great care was necessary in filling out these forms. The case was really brought as a warning.
Mr. YOUNG said the mistake arose because defendant struck out the wrong line on the form. He could not have driven a heavy motor vehicle without obtaining another licence from the Traffic Commissioners.
The case was dismissed on payment of 4s costs.
FOUND DRUNK.
William CRIDLAND, cattle drover, of 8, North Town-crescent, Taunton, was charged with being drunk. - He did not appear, but wrote to the Bench.
P.C. POCOCOK stated that at 11.14 p.m. on April 28th he saw CRIDLAND lying drunk in Black Horse-lane. He roused him and assisted him to his feet, but he was unable to stand without leaning against a wall. Defendant was taken home and placed in the care of his brother. On the following day when charged he replied, “What can I say if I don't know anything about it?”
P.S. LINTERN corroborated.
Inspector DREDGE said there were ten previous convictions against defendant, but none of a similar nature.
A fine of 5s was imposed.
ACCIDENT NOT REPORTED.
For failing to report an accident within 24 hours, Joseph Philip FOWLES, dairyman, St. John's-place, Park-street, Taunton, was fined 5s and ordered to pay 5s costs.
Henry CREED, painter and decorator, of Bishop's Hull, stated that at 6.30 p.m. on April 28th he was cycling home along Park-street. A motor-car came from Compass Hill and stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. Witness collided with the car, as there was no room for him to pass. He received injuries to the arms. Defendant got out of the car and told witness, “It was not my fault.”
P.C. WILLS said he interviewed defendant and asked him why he had not reported the accident. He replied, “I am sorry, It did not dawn on me. I was stationary. I thought you had to run into something.”
Defendant said he stopped to allow main road traffic to proceed. CREED was then two or three car's lengths away, and there was no reason why he should not have seen what witness was doing.
TWO FINES IN FORTNIGHT.
Frederick Alec SHIRE, van driver, 12, Middle-street, Taunton, was summoned for driving a motor-van without a reflecting mirror.
P.C. SPENCER said he warned defendant of the offence on a previous occasion.
Defendant, who was summoned at the last Court for exceeding the speed limit, was fined 5s.
“A TERRIBLE MORNING.”
The Hon. Mrs. Hilda Maud JERVIS, independent, of Pitminster Lodge, Taunton, was summoned for causing unnecessary obstruction with a motor-car.
P.C. PERKINS said defendant's car was left outside Messrs. BURTON's shop, North-street, for 50 minutes on April 25th. She explained, “I have been shopping, and wherever I have been I have been delayed. It has been a terrible morning for me.”
Defendant, who was fined £1 for a similar offence in December, was fined 30s.
NO DOG LICENCE.
Mrs. Evelyn DEMBREY, No. 10 Flat, Billet-street, Taunton, was summoned for keeping a dog, aged 18 months, without a licence. - She was fined 5s.
LICENCE OFFENCES.
John WRIGHT, farmer, of Bickley Farm, Milverton, was fined 5s for driving a motor-car on April 25th when not licensed.
P.C. LOXLEY said defendant produced a licence which expired on March 21st.
Charles William ALLEN, Burton's Club, Taunton, was summoned for driving a motor-car which was not licensed.
P.S. ALLEN said he saw defendant drive the car to Castle Green park on January 19th. Interviewed on the following day, he said: “The reason I have not taken out a Road Fund licence is because I have lost the log book.”
He was fined £1.
Stanley Drew TOOZE, cattle dealer, of Henegar House, Red Ball, Wellington, was also summoned for driving an unlicensed car. - He did not appear.
P.C. DUNCAN said on February 9th he interviewed defendant, who said: “I sent the money and log book to Exeter last Monday or Tuesday, and I have not heard from them since.”
Mr. PAGE pointed out that the car was registered in Somerset.
The case was adjourned.
CYCLIST FINED.
Albert TOLLER, boot repairer, of 76, Belmont-road, Taunton, was fined 2s 6d for riding a bicycle without a front light at 10.30 p.m. on May 2nd.
<NOTES: William or Willie CRIDLAND or SUMMERHAYES son of William SUMMERHAYES and Jane DYER, married Annie Maud BASKWILL and May or Mary SOUTH>