WELLINGBOROUGHCOUNTYCOURT
The monthly sitting of this Court took place on Monday last, the undefended cases being disposed of by Mr. G. H. Burnham, the registrar of the Court, and the following cases by his Honour, Mr. W. H. Cooke, Q.C.;—

E. SHELTON v. G. GROOME both of Higham— Mr. Willan Jackson for the defendant. Plaintiff claimed 10s. 6d., three days' work in the hay-field, at 2s. a day, 1s. 6d. for cutting a grape vine, and the balance for killing beast. Plaintiff stated that defendant had taken his son's business, and subsequent to this he (plaintiff) had rendered him the services named in the claim. Defendant was to pay him in meat, but he had since put his son in the County Court for the meat so supplied. Under these circumstances he brought the present claim. Defendant denied any agreement to pay the plaintiff, and said that whatever he did after the business changed hands was done voluntarily. His Honour said it seemed pretty plain from the plaintiff's own statement that these had gratuitous services, but when something had happened which he didn't like he tried to convert them into a debt. Judgment for defendant.

MAGISTERIAL—On Monday last, before Mr. E. B. Randall (mayor), and Mr. J. Crew, George Perkins and R. Crop, of Rushden Hill, were charged with creating a breach of the peace by fighting in the borough on the 25th ult., and J. Cox for aiding and abetting the same. The charge was proved by Mr. Flintham, and the defendants were each fined 5s. and costs.
DRUNKENNESS—On Wednesday last, before Mr. E. B. Randall, Mayor, Thomas Sparks, of Irchester, was charged with being drunk in the borough, at two o'clock in the morning. The charge was proved by P.C. Onan. Defendant was fined 5s. and 5s. costs.

MAGISTERIAL—On Monday Thomas Flawn, beer retailer, was summoned for Belling beer on his premises on Sunday morning, the 19th ult., he having only an off license.—P.C. Onan, stationed at Higham Ferrers, said on Sunday morning, the 19th ult. He was secreted watching defendant's house and about a quarter after eleven he saw two men named Richard Horn and George Groome go towards the house. He followed, and there found Wm. Flawn, Wm. Flawn's wife, G. Flawn, Wm Keech, Richard Horn, and G. Groome in the kitchen. He asked Wm. Flawn how he accounted for the men being there. G. Flawn said he was a distant relation, Groome said he went to show Flawn same cucumbers, Horn said he was a friend of Groome's, and went in with him, and Keech was a lodger. At that time there were on the table three pint jugs, four glasses, and one half-pint mug; all the jugs and glasses had beer in, and the mug had porter in. He asked Flawn how he accounted for the beer, to which he replied that they were all friends, and he asked them to have a glass of beer. They had not paid for a drop. The men all said that was right. He had had great complaints about the house. The constable was cross-examined by Mr. Gaches, of Peterborough, who appeared for the defence, but he failed to shake his evidence. Mr. Gaches contended there was no case to answer, as the prosecution had neither proved the sale nor consumption of the beer. He said the magistrates must be reasonably Sure that money passed, but here was Keech the lodger, and Horn and Groome friends, and G. Flawn a relative, and there was nothing to prevent a man entertaining his friends. The Bench suggested that Mr. Gaches call witnesses, and Martha Flawn, the wife of Wm. Flawn, said that on the 19th ult., when the policeman came in, her husband and Keech were having their lunch. They always had beer with their lunch on Sunday morning. They gave Keech some for taking the cows down. G. Flawn often came in on Sunday morning, as he was a relative of her husband's, and Horn and Groome came to show them the cucumbers. Neither Horn nor the others asked for beer. Her husband asked Groome to have some. The mug on the table she had had diet drink in for her lunch. The policeman might have taken that for porter. Cross-examined by Supt. Bailie, she said Keech had beef-steak for lunch, and her husband bread and cheese. Accounting for the jugs she said one contained water she was cooking with; and the other two beer for her husband and Keech, and one of the glasses was a spruce glass in which Thomas Flawn had had some ginger-ale before they went to chapel, and the mug contained the herb beer she had been drinking. Some of the glasses she had brought out of the other room to wash up, as they had been used over-night. G. Flawn was called, and generally confirmed Mr. Flawn's statement. He did not know, however what Flawn and Keech were eating. He believed bread and cheese. He did not see any meat. They concluded the evidence, and the magistrates reserved their decision until the next Petty Seesions.—This being the annual licensing session, the police had given notice of opposing the license of Flawn but the hearing of the objection was adjourned until the next session. There being no objection in any other license, they were all renewed.

Serious Charge of Stealing Corn at Higham Ferrers
ON Monday last, before Mr. E. B. Randall (Mayor), and Mr. J. Crew, Geo. Spencer, labourer, Irthlingborough, and Joseph Ager, Rushden, were charged with stealing corn, the property of Mr. Henry Clark.

P.C. Onan deposed that on the 25th at about one o'clock, he went to prosecutor's rick-yard at the back of the Green Dragon, where he saw the prisoner Spencer going towards the Green Dragon. He asked him where he was going, and the prisoner replied to fetch some beer for dinner. He then asked him what he had done with the corn he took from Mr. Clark's barn that morning. Prisoner denied taking, or having seen any corn taken away. Witness then took him into custody, when he said he would tell the truth, he had taken two lots of stuff for the pigeons, but no corn. Prisoner then took him and showed him the place where he set the stuff, inside Mrs. Goodfellow's back door, under the stairs. Witness tried the door, which was locked. He said that was where he set it. There were two empty bags outside, and prisoner said they were what he took it in. Witness called the attention of Mrs. Goodfellow to the matter, when she denied all knowledge of it. She gave him seven bushels of tailing corn, and three sacks, which were now at his house.

P.S. Webster said he was on duty at Higham Ferrers, on October 25th, when Spencer was apprehended. He made enquiries about the corn, and from what he heard he apprehended Ager on the 26th, and charged him with stealing corn with Spencer. He replied that he knew nothing about any corn. He didn't take any away, but he helped Spencer put some in a sack, and he (Spencer) took it away and brought some beer back, and he (Ager) helped him to drink it. He never gave him any money, and he never asked him to give him any. Ager said he did not tell the officer he helped to put it in the sack. What he (Ager) took he put on the grass.

Henry Clark, farmer, deposed that the prisoners were employed by him up to the time they were apprehended. On Oct. 25th the police showed him some tailing corn and three sacks. The sacks were his, and the corn was similar to what was in his barn. He never gave either of the prisoners any authority to dispose of the corn.

The case was not carried further, Superintendent Bailie asking for a remand. The prisoners were remanded to Monday next, bail being accepted for Ager. A summons was taken out against Mrs. Goodfellow, for receiving the corn, knowing it to have been stolen, to be heard at the same time.

MAGISTERIAL— On Thursday, before Mr. Crew (mayor), and Mr. E. B. Randall, W. Smith was charged with embezzling leather. George Robert Cade, wagoner to Mr. Chown, said that on the 3rd January, Smith asked him if he was going to Irthlingborough, as he had a parcel he wanted to send, and he asked witness if he would take it. Witness agreed to do so, and Smith brought a bag with something in it, but what witness could not say. Witness took it with him, and left it at the shop at the top of the hill at Irthlingborough. Smith told him to take it to Maddison's and he forgot the name, and took it to Mr. Spencer's, where he left it. — P. S. Elias Brown said that about 9 a.m. on the 4th January he went to Mr. Spencer's warehouse, and Mr. Spencer gave him the bag now produced containing leather. He weighed it, and found it weighed 30lbs. He saw the last witness, and from what he showed it to different manufacturers. Mr. Shelton identified 3lb. or 4lb., and Mr. Jolley 7lb. or 8lb. of the leather. He then went to Smith and asked him if he sold or sent any leather away on the previous day or at any time. He said, "No," but corrected himself and said he had sent a few pounds the previous evening by Cade, the miller, to Mr. Maddison. He asked him if he had sent any away to Maddison before. He said "No," but afterwards said he had sent 6lb. or 7lb. about a month ago. The leather was that produced. Mr. Philip Shelton said that on the 4th January the policeman showed him a bag of leather, and he identified some heel pieces and stiffeners as Mr. G. Shelton's property. There was no mark on the leather, but he could swear to the knives. Mr. C. Jolley said that on the 4th January the police brought a bag containing leather, and he identified some as the property of his firm. The stiffeners, piece soles, and lifts were the property of their firm. Witness, in answer to the Bench, said the leather that was not identified was such leather as would be given out to be made up. Defendant, in his defence, stated he had no idea he was doing wrong, as none of the leather he bought was stamped. He was seventy years of age, and he was trying to get an honest living by mending shoes, and as he could not buy just the quantity he wanted, he had a place to sell what he did not want to use. He bought odd pieces of the shoemakers, not wishing either to violate the laws of God, or injure his neighbour. The two prosecutors asked the Bench to deal leniently with the case on account of defendant's age, and as they thought he was not aware he was doing wrong. He was fined £2, and 12s. 6d. costs.

Rushden Argus Newsclip 14th April 1899

Without a Licence—Robert Parker, shoe hand, Higham Ferrers, was summoned for keeping a dog without a licence on March 14th—P.C. Slaughter stated the facts of the case, but the defendant denied the offence, saying that the dog did not come into his possession until March 20th. He paid a deposit.—Fined 15s. and costs. Robert Parker - Pardoned 1905

STEALING A COAT—On Monday, before Messrs. C. Jolley (Mayor), and C. Parker, a tramping conjuror, giving the name of Charles Brown, was charged with stealing a coat, value 17s. 6d., from outside the shop of Joseph Anstey, draper, of Higham Ferrers, on the 11th inst.—Joseph Anstey deposed that on the morning of the 11th he placed five overcoats outside his shop, and at 6 o’clock in the evening he missed one of them. He gave information to the police, and the coat produced was the one he lost.—Samuel Ager, an engine driver, living at Irthlingborough, said he went into the Bull Inn at Irthlingborough about half-past seven on the evening of the 11th inst., and prisoner was there singing a song. He afterwards sold his coat to witness for 9s., having offered it to several other people, none of whom would give more. He took the coat home, and after he had gone to bed the police called him up, and asked him if he had bought a coat that evening. He said he had, and showed them the coat, which they took away.—P.C. Elliott said from information he received he went to Irthlingborough on the 11th inst., and went to the last witness, who gave him the coat produced. He found prisoner, and told him he was suspected of stealing the coat, when he said he knew nothing about it. He had not seen it before. He then took him into custody.—Prisoner elected to be summarily dealt with, and asked for leniency, as he had never been in such a case before. He could get a good living, and he would never do such a thing again.—He was sentenced to one month's hard labour.

MAGISTERIAL—On Monday Dec. 24th, before the Mayor (Mr. T. M. Coleman) and ex-Mayor (Mr. W. Spong).—Charles Bollard, labourer, of Irthlingborough, was charged with having on the 24th inst. stolen one hayrake, value 6d., the property of Mr. E. B. Randall, J.P. After hearing the evidence of P.C. Slaughter, in consequence of the weak intellect of the prisoner the prosecutor asked the Magistrates to allow the charge to be withdrawn, and this was allowed.

Higham Ferrers Police Court - Monday
Before the Mayor (Mr Owen Parker) and the Deputy-Mayor (Ald. Patenall).

Obscene Language
Edward Westley, shoehand, Rushden, was charged on an adjourned summons with using obscene language at Higham on December 14. The case had been adjourned for further evidence to be produced.

P.C. Powell repeated the evidence he gave at the previous court, and in reply to the Bench, said defendant was the worse for drink at the time.

Defendant: Then you ought to have charged me with that.

Witness: I didn’t do so because a friend took you away.

Matthew Horsfield said he was at Mr Mumford’s fish shop on Dec. 14 and there was a disturbance between defendant and another man. Defendant was assisted outside and used very bad language afterwards.

Frederick Waterfield gave corroborative evidence.

Frank Mobbs called by the defendant, said he did not hear any obscene language used.

In cross-examination, witness said he did not remember swearing at the last court that defendant did not use bad language. He thought he said he did not hear it.

The Mayor (to the witness): Whenever you are called to give evidence in a police-court again, have some regard for the truth, or you may find yourself in a serious position. If you did not tell a falsehood, you wished to mislead the bench.

Defendant, in reply to the Mayor, said: I am sorry I did use such words, but I really don’t think I did use them. I can’t recollect using any such words.

Fined 15/- and costs, 27/- in all.

The Bread Act
Roland Saxby, baker, was summoned for selling bread without being provided with scales at Higham on Jan 27, and admitted the offence.

Thos Mattinson, Inspector, stated the case, and a fine of 10/- and costs was imposed.

The Higham Ferrers Co-operative Society were summoned for a similar offence on an 25, and were fined 10/- and costs.

No Exemption
Charles Brown, Higham, applied for an exemption from taking our a dog licence on the ground that he kept his dog to tend his cattle.

Supt. Onan objected on the ground that the applicant had only three acres of land and no cattle.

Applicant said he had cattle.

P.C. Powell said applicant had two bullocks and a pony.

The application was refused.

Sacrilege at Higham Ferrers – Robbery at the Parish Church
Some time during Sunday afternoon, the Parish Church at Higham was entered by a thief or thieves and some priceless old lace was stolen from the communion table and an offertory-box was broken open.

The lace was presented to the church just before Christmas by Miss Simpson, of Chelveston, and was very valuable. It was of great age and of considerable beauty. Its length was nearly three yards and its depth about four inches.

At the morning service the lace was in its place on the communion table, but in the evening it was missed. It was thought, however, that it had been temporarily moved to some other place in the church, so that no apprehensions were felt, as to its safety. Inquiries on Monday showed that no one connected with the church knew anything about the lace, and when it was discovered that an offertory-box in the chancel had been broken open it was realised that thieves had been at work.

Information was given to the police and bills were got out describing the lace and offering a reward of £10 for information leading to the conviction of the thief.

Man Arrested
A man has been detained by the police at Leighton Buzzard on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery at Higham Ferrers Church last Sunday, and witnesses from Higham Ferrers have proceeded to Leighton to see if they can identify him.

Rushden Echo, 14th February 1908, transcribed by Kay Collins

Sacrilege at Higham Ferrers
An Old Offender – Four Years’ Penal Servitude
At Northants Assizes on Saturday, George Vernon (58), tailor, was indicted for sacrilege at St Mary’s Church, Higham Ferrers, on January 19th, and with having stolen therefrom two yards 35 inches of Italian braid lace, valued at £10, and 1/7 in money, the property of the churchwardens of the parish.

Prisoner pleaded guilty
Mr Attenborough prosecuted, and said the act was not one of violence, as prisoner walked into the church as an ordinary member of the public by lifting the latch, the church not having been locked up. He was noticed in the church and left there by one of the churchwardens about three o’clock. He appeared to have cut off the lace which surrounded the altar cloth and to have broken open one of the offertory boxes. He sent the lace to a Mr Rippen, in London, who bought it for 15s. He was taken into custody later on, and was identified, and had since given information which had enables the police to recover the lace. Mr Rippen, who bought the lace, said he had bought lace from prisoner on six or seven occasions, but always by post. Several photographs, which he believed were of foreign churches, were found on prisoner, and also various articles to help him in his trade. Prisoner had just come out of prison after having served 18 months for a similar offence at Salisbury.

There were eight convictions against prisoner, including one for stealing lace and another for stealing a crucifix.

Prisoner was sentenced to four years’ penal servitude.

Higham Ferrers Police Court – Monday
Before the Mayor (Alderman T Patenall) and Mrs John Claridge

Lighting Restrictions
Anna Dickens, Newton Lodge, Higham Ferrers, was summoned for driving a horse and trap without a lighted lamp attached.

P.C. Powell said he requested defendant to light her lamps, and she drove off. Witness intercepted her, and again told her to light her lamps. She said, “It’s no good. I’ve only one lamp. I’ll light it another time.” She then drove off to her home, a distance of two miles, without lights.

A fine of 15s. was inflicted.

Dog case
Lovell Samuel Mayes, Kennel-row, Higham Ferrers, labourer, was fined 7s. 6d. for having a greater number of dogs than he was licensed to keep.

P.C. Powell said he found defendant had two dogs and one licence. Defendant said he had had one dog two years and the other about ten weeks. Witness had to go to the defendant, as one of the dogs went mad, and had to be shot.

Cycle Light
Frederick Holman, Kennel-row, Higham Ferrers, a mechanic, was fined 6s. for not obscuring his cycle light.

P.C. Powell said defendant told him he had scratched off some of the obscuring substance so that he could see better.

Too Much Light
Frederick Boddington, labourer, Chelveston, was fined 6s. for failing to obscure his bicycle lights at Higham Ferrers on Dec 16th.

Defendant said he thought he had to have a lamp less than 4½inches wide.

P.C. Powell said defendant had not obscured the light at all.

County Court Case—Charles Brown, Corporation-terrace, Higham Ferrers, farmer, sued L Mayes, 8, Kennel-row, North End, Higham Ferrers, in the County Court, for £32 balance of account, the principal item of which was £50 in respect of tenant rights. The total original claim was £58 16s., and defendant had paid £32 16s.—Mr J C Wilson appeared for plaintiff, who said he was a tenant of some Duchy land at Higham Ferrers for 27 years, and defendant, who followed him, agreed to pay £50 for tenant rights. Other items of indebtedness were incurred by defendant, who, it was stated, had never repudiated the agreement until the matter was placed in the hands of plaintiff’s solicitors.—Defendant, in his evidence, denied that there was ever any agreement for him to pay £50 for the rights. He thought he had paid quite sufficient for what there was on the land. His Honour gave judgment for plaintiff, with costs.