Thursday Flashback

A view of Scarborough’s north bay and pier. The pier was built between 1866 and 1869 at a cost of £6,000, half the cost of Blackpool’s and a fifth of Brighton’s. Photograph is reproduced courtesy of the Max guard, Scarborough, and James Dixon (constable on the NER), York, gave evidence. Dixon stated that when he interviewed defendant the latter said he knew that the train did not stop, but he took it for granted that there would be other passengers wanting to get out, and he did not tell the station master.

Defendant described this statement as one of the biggest lies witness had ever told - if he had ever told others. “If you want to make a case,” he said, “Make a straight one.”

Witness repeated that defendant Payne collection. Reprints can be ordered with proceeds going to local charities. Telephone 0330 1230203 and quote reference number YRN-160807-140413050 had told him what he had relayed to the court.

Inspector Arrowsmith said the maximum penalty was £5.

Alderman WH Fowler (one of the magistrates): Did not the station master warn people?

Inspector Arrowsmith said that if defendant had taken a single ticket the officials would have known, but defendant had a return ticket.

Asked as to whether the ticket collector could not have told defendant, the reply was that tickets were not always checked at small stations.

Defendant said he gave the whole ticket to an attendant (a girl) to tear off the half. She might have told him.

The clerk: She would not know what train you were returning by.

Defendant had been fined 5s on December 24, 1914, for railway trespass.

The magistrates, through the chairman (Mr F Baker), intimated that they would be lenient. Cox would be fined half a crown.

Defendant: Thank you, sir. He added that he would give “a dollar” if it went to the Red Cross.