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The Wells Journal. Somerset and West of England Advertiser Frome, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, and Axbridge Gazette Friday 06 Oct 1922
Page 8 Column 4
CHARGE OF STEALING A PONY AND TRAP.
SEQUEL TO A CRANMORE AUCTION SALE.
At a special sitting at the Shepton Mallet Police Court, on Monday, before Mr. J. R. ALLEN.
John PAYNE (50), alias Jack GIBBS, labourer, of no fixed abode a native of Fivehead, near Taunton, was charged with stealing, on the 28th September, a pony, governess car, and a set of harness, valued at £30, the property of Arthur HOLLEY, factory manager, of Southwood, Evercreech.
Mr. HOLLEY said he was manager for Messrs. C. and T. HARRIS. On Thursday, the 28th September, he drove a pony and governess car to Wellington Farm, East Cranmore, to attend a sale. He arrived there about 2.30, and tied the pony to a stile close by the farm. It was there at 4.30. When he went to go home at 5.30 the pony and car were missing. He had a good look round and as he could not find his pony and vehicle he gave information to P.C. HOLLARD. He next saw the pony and trap in charge of the police at Somerton. The two cushions, mat and a halter were missing. He valued the property at £30. The missing articles he valued at £1 2s. He did not know the prisoner.
Prisoner: I don't want to ask any questions. I was drunk when I took it. I did not take it to sell it.
P.C. HANCOCK said on Thursday, the 28th September, he saw the prisoner drive a pony and governess car through Pilton about 5.30. He was goind <sic> in the direction of Glastonbury. He knew the prisoner well, and said “Good evening, Jack.” The pony and trap witness had seen that morning was the same he saw on Thursday. Prisoner appeared quite sober when he saw him. Had he appeared to be drunk he should have stopped him. Witness did not know at the time a pony and trap had been stolen.
Prisoner: I was drunk when I drove by.
P.C. HOLLARD said he was on duty at the farm sale at Wellington Farm, East Cranmore, on the 25th September, and saw and spoke to prisoner about 4.30. He was then perfectly sober. About 5.45 Mr. HOLLEY complained to him that his pony and trap had been taken from a lane near the sale yard. Witness made enquiries, and on Saturday, the 30th, he received prisoner from the custody of the Somerton Police. He charged him, and he replied “I took it, and I can't say I didn't.” Mr. Wm BRAIN, a colt trainer, of Somerton, said in the presence and hearing of prisoner that he found the pony, trap and harness in a field at Long Load about 10.30 a.m. the previous day. The pony was loose, harness on the ground, and trap just inside the field gate. There were no cushions in the trap or mat. He (Brian) drover the pony and trap back to Somerton Police Station, and handed them over to Superintendent ATTWOOD. Prisoner said, “I don't know what I have done with the cushions any more than the man in the moon.”
Inspector PARFITT asked for a remand till Friday to make enquiries as to what became of the mat and cushions. He should object to bail as prisoner had no fixed abode.
Prisoner, who was remanded in custody till Friday said that he did not know what had become of the mat and cushions. He did not sell them.