Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 27 Feb 1895
Page 4 Column 6 and 7
TAUNTON.
<section not transcribed>
POLICE-COURT.
SATURDAY. - Before Mr. E. CHISHOLM BATTEN (in the chair), Mr. R. H. SEARS, Major-General EMERSON, Captain W. BARRETT, and Mr. W.H. FOWLER (Mayor of Taunton).
“NOT PARTICULARLY DRUNK, NOR WONDERFULLY SOBER.” - Frank COOMBES, travelling draper, was charged, and pleaded guilty, to being drunk and disorderly in Bridge-street on the 23rd inst. - Mr. DURHAM stated that the prisoner was seen by P.S. HAYES on the previous night in a drunken condition, and he was cautioned and told to go home. A police constable was told off to watch the prisoner, and early this morning instead of going to his lodgings he tried to effect an entrance into several shops in Bridge-street, viz., Mr. ALDER's, Mr. SALE's, and Mr. WINTER's. As the constable could not get rid of him he brought him to the Police-station under the impression at first that prisoner might possibly be the man who had busied himself in getting into other people's houses of late. - Prisoner said he had taken lodgings at the Spread Eagle, and not knowing exactly where it was he could not find the right house. That was the long an [sic] short[?] of it, and he hoped they did not think he had committed any of the burglaries. - Mr. DURHAM: I don't think you are clever enough. - Prisoner: I am very sorry to be placed in this position, but I don't suppose it is any more than I deserve. - The Chairman told the prisoner he would be fined 10s and 4s 6d costs, at which he remarked “That is enough to make anybody keep sober. (Laughter.) It will be a long time before I shall have to pay another 14s 6d for being drunk.” (Laughter.) - Mr. DURHAM: I hope you will sign the pledge. - Prisoner: I think I shall. - Mr. DURHAM: Prisoner told me he was not particularly drunk, and not wonderfully sober. (Laughter.) - The fine was paid for prisoner by a man in court.