The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1885-11-20 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

POLITICS -AND FIREWORKS. Frederick William Seward, of Dorchester, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly at Moreton on 12th November last.—Defendant pleaded not guilty.—P.C. Purchase, on oath, said: On the day in question, between seven and eight in the evening, I was at the station, and heard a great noise outside on the highway. I went out, and there found defendant in company with another man, named Robert Shorey. They were letting off fireworks, and defendant was drunk and behaving in a disorderly manner. He was shouting out, "House on fire, house on fire." I asked him what he meant by letting off fireworks on the highway. He told me he was out for a spree, and should not be interfered with. He refused at first to give me his name. I told him I was a police-constable, and should apprehend him. He said he would see me -- first. I took him by the collar with a view of taking him into custody. He then gave nw his name, and asked me the road to the school, as he was going there to attend a Conservative meeting. I directed him to the school, and then went in, got my lamp, and followed them on the road for about a quarter of a mile. Defendant then commenced to shout "Murder" three or four times. I again told him if he did not behave himself properly I shculd have to lock him up. He was very abusive, amid threatened to report me at Dorchester if I interfered with him. Robert Shorey then took him by the arm and led him awa3 —Defendant would not cross-examine witness, but called Robert Shorey, who, on being sword, said : Defendant was perfectly sober when he left Dorchester but is rather an excitable man. NVe met the Police-constable some way from his station, and asked him the way to the Schoolroom' where the Conservative meeting WAS to be held. He told me to follow my nose, and go straight about, but did not accompany us. We could not find the way, so went back to the station. When we got back to Dorchester defendant was perfectly sober, but WaS excited, which is his nature.—Cross-examined by Superintendent Feltham : They went to the Frampton Arms, but the landlord did not refuse to serve them. He served them with some beer and bread and cheese. He did not order them out of the house on account of their letting off fireworks in the house.—Benjamin Orassby, sculptor, of Dorchester, said on the day in question he, in company with the defendant and eleven others, went to a Conservative meeting at Moreton. Defendant was perfectly sober. When they arrived at Moreton they all went into the Frampton Arms and had a glass of beer each. Defendant and Shorey got left behind, and he did not see them again till they returned, when he found them at the station waiting for the train. Defendant was Perfectly sober, and travelled in the same compartment with him to Dorchester. The man was as sober as he was then.—Ohailes Cake, of Dorchester, was also called, and gave corroborative evidence.—The magistrates decided to hear another ease which the defendant was charged with before giving their verdict in _.this one. . .  Frri;dei:a William Seward and Robert Shorey were then charged with letting off fireworks on the highway at the same time and place.—P.C. Purchase gave evidence as in the last case, and produced the empty firework cases which he found upon the road when he saw defendants letting them off. The defendant Sherey admitted having let off three Chinese crackers I 0 the Frampton Arms, but denied having let any off on the highway. He also contended that Chinese crackers were not fireworks, and that the summons Was wrong when it stated they let off squibs ; he had never let off a squib in his life.—The magistrates having considered the case said they were of opinion the police did quite right in reporting the case, but thought that defendants were out for a spree, and got excited, and therefore they would dismiss the case.