The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-10-23 00:00:00

A SPORTIVE SPORTANIAN.

At the Borough Police Court on Friday bet ire Mr
tL Devenish and Mr. .T. F. Hodges, Hcriscrt Wriyht,
who said he came from London, a middle-aged man,
and dreams' in the garb affected by would-be sportsmen,
was brought up in the cludoly of Mr. Supt. Coward
upon two charger.—Mr. Burnett appeared for the pro-
eecution ; the prienner was undefended—The first was
that of stealing a breachloader and 100 cartridge,'
valued at IA the property of Mr. Charles Jeffery gun-
smith, of High East street. In the early part of May
last the prisoner was introduced to the prosecutor by
Mr. William parch, of the New Inn. in South-street,
who said he was staying at hie home for a few days for
the purpseie of having • little shooting awl fishing.
In the course of conversation Mr. Wright wished to
know of Mr. Jeffery if he got a day's shooting would
he lend hint a gam. Mr. Jeffery had no doubt he
could. A few days after he same in to the dem again
awl bought 'some fishing dies and a c liar, awl he
then said he thought he has' obtained the 'lay'. shoot-
ing. This was on Saturday the 13th, and Mr. Jeffery
promise'l to let him haves gun for the following Mon.
lay, and then he asked if he could have a wsterproof
case for it. Mr. Jeffery told him he had not one, but
he mold furnish him with some cloth to cover it.
1 Some game cases were lying in the shop at the time,
and the prisoner wanted one of thom. He WM told
they belonged to gentlemen who left their guns there.
Prisoner then leit. On the Monday morning about 9
Oelock, he drove up to the showdoorrin a trap belong-
ing to Mr. More, awl called Mr. Jeffery out and
asked him to put the gun in This was done, and he
then enquired if they hail any catridgee made op. He
WM told WO, and these he also requested to he 'nit into
the trap. Up ei that, with his booty he drove
down the town, turned round op Durngateortreet and
stopped at the Great Western hotel, where he left the
eon. &c., and a fishing rod, saying he would call for
them again. Shortly bet- re the 12.29 train was due
he returned to the hotei, obtained the goods be had
left there, gave a man WI to take them to the station,
and taking a ticket t Paddington went off by that
train. He was lost sight of for some considerable
time, and although advertised in the Polia
GoAte and bilk were ipiete,l over the county, it
WM not until Wednesday last, the police
socceeded in apprehending him, when he was
found in the comity gaol at Oxford, awaiting his trial
mein a similar charge at the giou-ter Sessions. This
charge failed, and he was discharged, and he was then
taken into custody by P.C. Gould upon the ',regent.—
The meow' charge was that of stealing two fishing-
I rods, of the value of £3, the property of William
lenry Green, naturalist, of Forlingt in.—The e vi'lence
was somewhat similar. He was introduced to Mr.
Green by Mr. Force. He wished to know if he knew
of any shooting to let. Mr. Green said he did not,
but he thought he could get him a day's fishing from
a friend of his, awl accordingly he obtained for him a
.lay's fishing in the river Frome from Mr. Robert
Hunt. When Mr. Green gave hirn a ticket the
prisoner said he had no vat, and he lent hini one. After
he had had it a day or two he said it was rather too
heavy, and he would try a rhorter one he hrel seen.
Mr. Green told him he would bring it up to
him, and then he might as well let him have back the
other. He rahl he could not do that at once as he had
left it at Mr. Strong'', at the mill. The next morning
he let the prisoner have the fresh rod. He afterwards
saw him and asked him " What sport?" He replied
pretty fair—he hwl caught a fish or two. On Sato',
day, the 12th, Mr. Green went with him to Mr.
Jeffery's, and tie then heard the conversation which
took place. The last thing he heard of him was that
he had decamped by the 12.20 train on Monday,
taking the rods, &e., with him.—P.C. Gould, who
took the prisoner into mato ly at Oxford, produced
two reels and lines which he found upon him and
which Mr. Green identified as his. When charged by
the constable he sail "Its not my fault if the gun ham
not been returned."—Before the Bench he said he
reserved his defence. Asked if he could produce hall,
he said he did not ask for it —He was then committed
for trial at the assizer.—The guns and rods have not
been recovered ; and there are various other charges of
a similar nature against the prisoner in other parts of
the country.