News - Highway Offences

Alfred Cain, labourer of Preston, charged with riding asleep whilst in charge of a wagon drawn by two horses on the highway at Preston. Fined 5s including costs. Paid. (October 1870)

HIGHWAY OFFENCE. William Winch, labourer of Little Almshoe was charged with riding without reins on the 11th March at Hitchin

Police-constable Martin said that on the above date at a quarter past two o’clock he saw the defendant sitting at the further end of a wagon coming along the London Road without reins and having no control over the horses.

The defendant who was in the employ of Mr Cook of Hill End Farm, who gave him an excellent character, said that he had been to the station two or three times that day and thought there was no harm in getting up to ride as his horses were very quiet.

The Bench cautioned the defendant and discharged him on payment of 2s costs.(March 1880)

HIGHWAY OBSTRUCTION. Benjamin Brown (aged 23, son of Emma) of Preston was charged with allowing his horse and cart to obstruct the highway on Hermitage-road on the 5th of March. Police-constable Berry said he watched the defendant’s horse and cart for more than half an hour on Tuesday last. There was no name on the cart and no one in charge. Defendant said that was quite true. He brought some cows and calves to Hitchin and one cow being wild he was afraid it would do some harm. He went after that and forgot about the cart. he was sorry it had happened, but would take care that it did not occur again. Fined 6d and 9s 6d costs. (March 1878)

John Jeeves of Preston (wood carrier of Back Lane b 1807; son George b 1836 no occupation c1881) was summoned for leaving his horse and cart on the highway at Gosmore on 27 January. Pc Day said that on the 27 Jan. He saw the horse and cart of the defendant outside the Bull public house at about two o’clock. It remained there for more than half an hour and then he went in and spoke to the defendant about it. Witness had cautioned him several times about leaving his horse and cart unattended. The defendant admitted the offence but said he was waiting for his son, who had been ill for 20 years. To take him home. Fined 10s with costs. (Feb 1882)

OBSTRUCTING THE HIGHWAY. Herbert Jeeves (aged 17) James Andrews (aged 14), Arthur Palmer (aged 14), Arthur Burton (aged 16), William Jenkins (aged 16) and Edward Saunders (aged 17) all lads of Preston were charged with obstructing the highway on the 13 inst.

Police-constable Day said that on the day in question, he was at Preston and saw the defendants on the footpath obstructing the way so that people had to leave the path to get to chapel. They were playing and talking on the path for more than an hour. Witness had cautioned the defendants on several occasions previously.

The defendants had nothing to say in defence and the Bench fined each of them 1s 6d.

These articles reproduced by kind permission of the Hertfordshire Mercury