Reckless driving near Stockton in 1877

From The Weekly Exchange
(Price One Penny)

Thursday 1 March 1877

RECKLESS DRIVING NEAR STOCKTON

At the County Petty Sessions at Stockton this morning, Frank Clayton, a Stockton cabman of notorious character, was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse and conveyance.  Mr Bolsover prosecuted on behalf of Mr J P Jewson, music teacher.

On the evening of the 15th of February, Mr Jewson, who had been at the Titiens’ Concert, was driving, about eleven o’clock, to Hartburn from Stockton.  When near to the first bridge in Yarm-road, they saw the defendant driving a conveyance at a furious rate in an opposite direction on the wrong side of the road.  Mr Jewson’s driver drew out of the way as much as possible, but was unable to prevent an accident, and the two vehicles collided.

The splashboard of Mr Jewson’s was broken to atoms, a carriage lamp was broken, and other damage was done.  The shaft of defendant’s conveyance struck Mr Jewson, jnr., on the arm, and bruised it.  Defendant’s late employer was called to state that he had been compelled to discharge the defendant on account of his drunken habits and for having injured a horse and carriage by his carelessness.

The defendant had practically no defence.

The bench fined him £2, including costs, or two months hard labour.  They cautioned him as to his future conduct.

but on the bright side...

STOCKTON: THE FREE LIBRARY

The reading-room in connection with the Corporation Free Library was opened on Tuesday.  It is situated in the Freemasons old Hall in Wellington-street.