The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1884-01-04 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

STEALING A MAT.—William Eliot, a tailor, was charged at the Guildhall, on Thursday, before the Mayor (R. N. H(,ward, Esq.), J. Robertson, J. E. Robens, and J. P. Collett, Dqrs., with stealing a door. mat from 67, St. Thomas-street, the property of MrStedman, 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 uavement 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 t 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, and 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. Apeey 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 was the matter ; he told him he should take him in cu-tody for stealing the mat. Prisoner then struck out, fighting like a mad man, kicking and bitting. He was more like • wild beast than anything else, and they had to " frog-march " him to the station.—Mr. Stedman said he lost a mat from his door, and that produced was, to the beet of his belief, the same. It was worth half-a-crown.— Prisoner denied stealing the mat, and said he "fell Romer it" in the road, and then dragged it home.—Mr. Rolls, tailor, gave prisoner a good character, and the Bench let him off upon payment of 17s. 6d. COUNTY PirrrY Skissiows, Friday.—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, an-I was fined 75., including costs.—George Mellish, of West Chickerell, was summoned for unlawfully removing two Cows from an infected area without havinri fir 4 olyairied a license authorising him to do eo.—Defendant said he had a certificate, but he came away in such a hurry that he forgot it.—P.C. Miller stated defendant hod a license, hot it only authorised him to move within the infected area. Defendant moved the two cows from Wyke Regis to Chickerell.—Superinteudent Gale said he believed the man moved the cows in ignorance, —The Chairman said they believed defendaut acted in Ignorance ; but the orders in Council must be carried out to stop the spread of the dise ise. He had incurred a penalty of £2O; but they won d tine him 104., including costs.—John Score, of PArtland, was summoned for keepin..; a d g without a licenee.—Fine I 54., including co-ts.-- Thomas Galbraith, a soldier, of Portland, was charged by Elizabeth Yates with wilfully smashing 15 panes of glass in • window of her house.— Complaiaant, who lined in Chesil, Fontana, 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 gas in a di wnstair window.—P.O. Baverstock stated he heard the smashing of glass, and hastened to the spot, where he saw two aaletiera smashing proeceartrix's win-lows. When the men saw him they ran away, but witness captured prisoner.—The Bench imposed a fine of 204., including costs, and in default sent the prisoner to gaol for 14 days. A