Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1884-01-04 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

STEALING A MAT.—William Eliot, a tailor, Was charged at the Guildhall, on Thursday, before the Mayor (R. N. Howard, Esq.), J. Robertson, J. E. Robens, and'J. P. Collett, Esqrs., with stealing a door. mat 4rom 67, St. Thomas-street, the property of Mr. Stedman chemist.—Edward Piper, a checker on the Great Western Railway, stated that on the previous night, about half-past eight, he saw the prisoner pick up a door-mat from the pavement just above Mr. Stedman's house and throw it across the road, then take it up again and drag it after him. He appeared to be intoxicated at the time. He heard prisoner say he would sell the mat to anyone for a bob," and thinking he did not come by it honestly, he watched him. He asked prisoner what he was going to do with it, and advised him to return it, but he refused to do so, imd took it to Brunswick-court, when he threw It in a corner close by the door.—Thomas Denman stated he saw prisoner dragging a mat through St. Thomas-street, and heard him offer to sell it to some women for a shilling. —P.S. Apsey stated that on the previous night he went to Brunswick-court, and pointed out the mat produced, which was against the prisoner's door. He came out of his house and asked him what WRS the matter; he told him he should take him ine.tu-tody for stealing the mat. Prisoner then struck out, fighting like a mad man, kicking and bitting. He was more like a wild beast than anything else, and they had to " frog-march " him to the stetion.—Mr. Stedman said he lost a mat from his door, and that produced was, to the be 4 of , his belief, the same. It was worth half-a-orown.— Prisouer denied stealing the mat, and said he "fell across it" in the road, and then dragged it hoe:ie.—Mr. Rolls, tailor, gave prisoner a good character, and the Bench let him off upon payment of 17e. 6d. COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS, Feiday.—Before R. if. Eliot, Esq. (in the chair), and Captain Pretor.—Henry May pleaded guilty to being drunk and riotous at Portland, on December Bth, and was fined 7a., including costs.—George Mallfiffi, of West Chiokerell, VMS summoned for unlawfully removing two cows from an infected area without having Snit obtained a license authorising him to do so.—Defendant said he had a certificate, but he came away in such a harry that he forgot it.—P.C. Miller stated defendant had a license, but it only authorised him t move within the infected area. Defendant moved the two cows from Wyke Regis to Chickerell.—Superintendent Gale said he believed the man moved the cows in ignorance.—The Chairman said they believed clefendatt acted in ignorance ; but the orders in Council must be carried out to stop the spread of the disease. He had incurred a penalty of £2O; but they wou,d hue him 10e., including coste.—John Score, of Portland, was summoned for keeping a dg without a licause.—Fined 5., including cots,-- Thomas Galbraith, a soldier, of Portland, was charged by Elizabeth Yates with wilfully smashing 15 panes of glees in a window of her house.— Complaivant, who lived in Chesil, Portland, stated that on the previous night prisoner with two other soldiers knocked at her door. She got out of bed, opened her bedroom window, and asked them to go away, when they swore at her. Prisoner tried to get into her bedroom window, and she shrieked "Murder," whereupon he smashed 15 panes of glass in a downst air winclow.—P.O. Baverstock stated he heard the smashing of glass, and hastened to the spot, where he saw two soldiers smashing prosecutrix's windows. When the men saw him they ran sway, but witness captured prisoner—The Bench imposed a fine of 205., including costs, and in default sent the prisoner to gaol for 14 days. A