Police court life

Samuel Beswick, cowman, Yedingham, appeared to answer a charge of wilfully damaging a gate and cart jack at Yedingham on October 17th. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Complainant, Mr Wm Ward, joiner, said that after retiring to bed at 9.45pm he heard a noise. He went downstairs and opened the door, finding the cart jack lying against the shop door and a gate. Defendant had run a cart out, but put it back at witness’ request. The door and gate had been freshly painted and he considered they had been damaged to the extent of 3s. Next morning he sent for the police, having meanwhile moved the things out of the way of traffic. Defendant did not suppose he was in the wrong. They were right on the green - on the parish ground. They had not been painted and he did not damage them. PC Blanchard had not noticed any damage. Mr Ward had said he had had to paint the gate over again. Defendant: It’s all nowt. He hadn’t.

The chairman said there was not sufficient evidence to convict and the case would be dismissed. He was a lucky man to escape this time.