In our last paper, we mentioned that the house of Mr Cole, farmer, of Ketton, Rutland, had been robbed of property to a considerable amount. From various circumstances it appeared very probable that some person well-acquainted with his house must be the thief, tho' no one could positively be charged with it. However, a relation of Mr. Cole's calling upon him, advised, if the thief was not found out, nor the property returned in a few days, to apply to a conjuror (or wise man) who would discover the robbers, and also oblige them to restore the effects. Mr Cole promised his friend to make the application at the end of three days, in case he heard nothing of the money. His intent got wind - and had such an influence on those who committed the robbery, that thirty-one guineas, a 20l and a 10l Bank of England note, and a 10l Stamford Bank note (being artfully left in the passage) which is within 18s 4d of the whole sum he lost, was returned to him.

A violent outrage was committed one evening last week, on a respectable young woman of Ketton, near Stamford, who having to pass across some meadows in her way home was waylaid by a villain, employed as a farmer's servant at Ketton, and violated. The offender absconded, and has not yet been apprehended.

One night last week Mr W Claypole of Ketton, had 20 fowls stolen from his premises, and Mr Wilford, of the same place, 4 geese. A systematic plan of depredations of this kind on the inhabitants of the villages round Stamford, seems to be carried on by some loose persons

Twenty-four ewes branded with a 4 between the loins, and ruddled down the off shoulder, the property of Mr Stangar, of Ketton. If stolen, whoever will give information on the offender or offenders, shall, on conviction, receive five guineas reward from the said Mr Stangar; and if strayed, and person giving information of them shall be handsomely rewarded, and have all reasonable expenses paid.

At Stamford sessions on Saturday last, before the Marquis of Exeter chairman, Charles Goodwin was found guilty of stealing a gun from the farm of Mr Hunt at Ketton and sentence (in consequence of having been previously convicted of felony) to seven years' transportation. The prisoner, on sentence being passed, thanked his Lordship, and added "I shall get over that like winking, and when I come back I shall see all your downfalls".

Francis Pell and John Pell were indicted for stealing bacon, the property of William Willford of Ketton were acquitted.

Whereas last night, the 10th inst., some person or persons did feloniously enter the dwelling-house of Mrs Grantham, at Ketton, in the county of Rutland and steal there from between 20 and 30 sovereigns, and two £5 notes of Messrs. Eaton, Cayley and Michelson's Stamford Bank. Notice is hereby given, that whoever will give such information as may lead to the apprehension and conviction of the offender or offenders, shall receive the above Reward on application to Thomas Hippisley Jackson, Esq. solicitor, or William Reed, Chief Constable, Stamford. Ketton, 11th September 1839. In the event of an accomplice giving information, every exertion will be made to obtain her Majesty's pardon in his behalf. A man, having the appearance of a sailor, who called twice at the house to ask relief, is suspected of being one of the party. He stands about 5ft 6 or 7in high without shoes or stockings, no neckerchief and his breast bare; has been loitering about Ketton for some days past.

Rutland Sessions. _ Stapleton of Ketton was convicted of stealing wheat from a barn, the property of Miss de Rippe, and sentenced to seven years' transportation.

In Stamford on Saturday last, a man calling himself William Ellis was charged by John Toon, of Ketton, labourer, with having picked his pocket (whilst asleep) of a considerable sum of money, at the Bowling Green public house; the accused was liberated for want of evidence.

A true bill was returned against William Lee and George Webb for having on the 12th Nov at Ketton, feloniously stolen a black pudding, the property of Catherine Buckworth, of Ketton

Robert Lenton, aged 26, and Anderson Pell, aged 19, pleaded guilty to stealing a whip, a brass pan, two coats and a pair of gloves, the property of Mr Stangar of Ketton. They also pleaded guilty to stealing a brass pan, the property of Mr Wade of Ketton. There was a third indictment against the prisoners charging them with stealing wearing apparel, the property of William Burrows, Ketton, upon which they were not arraigned. For stealing Mr Stangar's property they were sentenced to two months and for stealing Mr Wade's pan to four months imprisonment.

Committed to Oakham goal, on the 14th inst, by the Rev Charles Atlay, Thomas Ellingworth, labourer, of Ketton, for two months hard labour, for injuring a calf (which has since died), the property of Thomas Buckworth of Ketton.

John Walker of Ketton was fined 12s for putting Mrs Barfield into a horse-trough full of water

Mr T. Liddell, the railway station-master at Stamford was taken into custody on Wednesday, and charged before the Rev. C. Atlay, at Barrowden, with an offence against the Railway Act. He was fined 5l. It appears that about a fortnight ago he went to the village of Barrowden, intending to return by the train due at Stamford at 10.7 p.m. On arriving at Luffenham, he found he was too late for the train, and he proceeded to walk towards home along the line. When he reached Ketton, being exceedingly tired, he persuaded the porter at the station to get out a truck, in which he proposed to ride home, thinking that, as the line from that station to Stamford is on a descent, he would be able to get over the three miles without propulsion. Having been pushed forward a short distance, the truck kept in motion till it stopped and, being partially laden with beams, Mr Liddell could not again move it. He went to the Easton gate-house for assistance, and the gatekeeper and his wife helped him to get it on, after much labour, to Stamford. By some means, the foolish transaction reached the ears of the directors, and Mr Liddell had to attend before the board at Derby. He returned to Stamford that evening, believing he had got over the difficulty, but the next morning an officer arrived and took him into custody. Had a luggage or any other train come in contact with the truck so recklessly put upon the line, the consequences might have been fearful. Hence the directors have thought it necessary to make an example of one of their responsible servants. Mr Liddell is dismissed from his duties as station-master.

On Friday August 19th, William Allard, Inspector on the Midland Railway, charged William Hippey of Ketton, in the county of Rutland, with placing two large stones on the down line of rails about half a mile from Ketton Station, in the 12th instant. Hippey, was committed to take his trial at the March Assizes at Oakham.

William Johnson, aged 25, pleaded guilty to an indictment for stealing a gold watch and appendages, a pair of silver sugar tongs &c, the property of Mr G Brocklehurst of Ketton - 12 months hard labour

A labourer, named Beesley, was apprehended in Stamford market, on Friday last, on a charge of stealing about two stones' weight of grapes from a vine belonging to Mr Martin, farmer, of Ketton. Beesley had sold the grapes to Mr Worsdale, fruiterer. After an examination he was committed for trial at the Rutland sessions.

William Hippey, 18, pleaded guilty of breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Samuel Hippey, and stealing bread, pork and cheese, at Ketton. Two month's hard labour, two weeks solitary confinement.

James Goodliffe of Ketton, beer house keeper, was fined, including costs, 16s 4d, for keeping open his house for the sale of beer after 10pm

Thomas Richardson of Ketton, cooper, was charged with stealing part of a dead fence there, the property of Mr R L Swingler - fined, including costs, 16s 10d

At a special sessions held at Empingham on the 6th inst., Joseph Halford, a Ketton, grocer and baker, for having on his premises an illegal weighing-machine half a pound against the purchaser, and two weights that were light and unjust, was fined, including costs 11.7s.4d.

On Saturday last the peaceable-disposed inhabitants of Ketton were very much disturbed with a party of loose characters, headed by a dissipated person, who, after being well regaled with drink, proceeded to the church, the ringleader taking with him gin &c, where they commenced a violent attack upon the bells.

Richard Osborn, 23, farmer (out on bail), was charged with the manslaughter of Alice Ellingworth, on the 18th of May. Mr Roberts conducted the prosecution, and Mr Manson the defence. From the opening of the case by the counsel and the testimony of the witnesses, it appeared that the deceased was a woman of 71 years of age, and the wife of a man who is only about 50, and that she sometimes used to get jeered for having married a husband so much younger than herself. On the 14th of May the husband, Thomas Ellingworth, who was what is called in slang phraseology "on the loose" that day, went to a mill belonging to Mr Stanger, where he met the prisoner and another person named James Harrison, and they had some drink. About ten minutes afterwards the deceased went to the mill to fetch her husband away, when Osborn said in a jeering manner, "Go home old woman!" and threw some bran in her face; and he further aggravated her, whereupon she struck him with a halter and knocked off his cap. She then left the mill with her husband, and proceeded towards home, accompanied by a Mrs Lowth, and when they got to the house of a Mrs Bentham, the deceased stopped and complained to that person how shamefully Osborn had treated her. Just at that time Osborn came up and said "Hello! what is the matter!" to which the old woman in a very excited manner replied "I will fetch a summons for you, you nasty villain!". The husband told her to take a hoe he had in his own hand and to knock Osborn's head with it if he insulted her again. The prisoner again insulted her by turning to her husband and saying "What did you marry an old fool like that for?" (meaning the deceased). Upon that she raised the hoe and struck him (Osborn) a blow on the head, inflicting a severe wound, from which the blood flowed freely. This appeared so to inflame the young man's passion (who was somewhat the worse for drink), that he turned round suddenly, uttered a fearful oath, snatched the hoe out of the deceased's hands and struck her a heavy blow on the left side of the head with the iron part of the tool. She immediately fell down exclaiming "Oh he has killed me!". She was picked up and taken into the house and had the wound bathed. The doctor (Mr Burman) was sent for, and by the time he was in attendance she had been conveyed home and put to bed. The deceased was delirious and violent, and continued so with short intervals of consciousness up to the day of her death which took place on the 18th. On the following Monday a post mortem examination was held on the body by Mr Jackson and Mr Burman, when it was discovered that the brain was highly inflamed, and the vessels on the left side of the brain particularly injected with blood, which injuries might have been caused by a blow from a hoe, and which had caused death. The prisoner, when he was taken into custody, said he was so exasperated that he snatched the hoe from her and struck at her, but without any intention of killing her; in fact, he was not aware he had hit her until after it was done, for the blood from the wound she had inflicted was running down his face. Mr Manson made a very ingenious defence, and endeavoured to show that notwithstanding the deceased had died from a blow administered by the prisoner, that the case did not resolve itself into one of manslaughter, inasmuch as the prisoner had just previous to striking the deceased received a blow from her, which so distracted his mind at the time that when he turned round and retaliated he was not conscious, but that he had been acting in self-defence, and that the blow was given mechanically. Such being the case, it appeared to him that it would not constitute a case of manslaughter, because the law will allow a person to repel force by force, and if in the act of repelling such force in self-defence the party met with a death blow, that would not legally be considered manslaughter.

The Judge, in summing up, said that a person would certainly be justified in defending himself by force, but if the attacking party retreated, the other party would not be justified in following him up and inflicting any further chastisement. If he did, and his assailant received an injury which would cause death, then the person who inflicted it would be guilty of manslaughter, although of a very extenuating kind, because he would have had sufficient time to restrain the act which was only justifiable in self-defence. In the present case the blow which had caused the woman's death did not appear to have been given in self-defence, because the prisoner took the hoe from her and struck her. There were several kinds of manslaughter, some of which sometimes nearly amounted to murder, and others to little more than a case of assault, from which death ensued; but the law was obliged to notice all such acts for the preservation of the public peace. This present case, there could be no doubt, was a case of manslaughter, although one of great palliation, because very considerable provocation had been given, but not before the deceased had been jeered and insulted about her having married a man younger than herself.

The jury after a short conversation returned a verdict of guilty. In passing sentence, his Lordship remarked that he hoped this circumstance would be a warning to the prisoner for the remainder of his life, and induce him to think seriously over his habits of drinking, as there was no doubt he was in drink at the time he committed the offence. Had this been a man who had been killed, and weighing the circumstances altogether, he (the Judge) might have considered it sufficient to have bound him over to keep the peace: but the very fact of the blow having been inflicted upon a woman could not be passed over. One month's imprisonment with hard labour.

An inquest was held at the Millstone Inn, Ketton, Rutland, on the 20th instant, before Mr Wm Sheild, coroner, on view of the body of Alice Ellingworth, who died on the 18th instant. Mary Mitchell said: On Tuesday, the 14th inst., I was standing near my door. I saw the deceased and her husband (Mr Thomas Ellingworth) coming from Ketton mill towards me. Deceased said Richard Osborne had been throwing a shovelful of bran in her face. Soon after, Mr Osborne came by, and he said, "What is the matter?" when she threatened to summons him. He retorted in obscene language, and Mr Ellingworth told the deceased to knock Osborne with the hoe he held in his hand. Deceased then struck Osborne with the hoe, which he took from her, and struck her on the left temple with it; at the same time assailing her with a volley of oaths. The deceased fell down, and was picked up by a neighbour, whilst her husband took the hoe from Osborne. Mr Burman, surgeon, of Ketton, attended the deceased from that time until the 18th inst., when she died. Dr. Jackson, of Stamford, and Mr Burman made a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased, and said that her death was caused by the highly inflamed state of the brain, produced by a blow. Dr. Jackson also stated that the vessels on the left side of the brain were particularly injected with blood, and he believed the death of deceased was caused by a blow given by an instrument such as the hoe produced. The body of the deceased was in a very healthy state. The jury returned a verdict of “manslaughter" against Richard Osborn, who was committed to take his trial at the next Oakham assizes.
[In the 1861 census taken a couple of months earlier, 74 year old Alice Ellingworth was living with her husband Thomas Ellingworth, aged 50]

Mr R L Swingler charged Sarah Sampson with stealing fencing, value 1s 6d on 23rd May. Dismissed
Mr R L Swingler charged William Sampson and Ann Toon with a similar offence. Dismissed with a caution.

Thomas Brown and Mark Brown, both of Ketton, were convicted for assaulting Mr T. T. Whincup, at that place, on the 21st ult, and the former was committed for 21 days and pay the costs or to be further imprisoned for 7 days; and the latter fined with costs 17s 6d. These two men had also obtained a summons against Mr Whincup for assaulting them, which was dismissed.

On Monday last, in broad daylight, Miss Fanny Whincup, daughter of Mr F. Whincup, of Geeston, was robbed with violence in the fields between Geeston and Easton. At about 11 o'clock in the morning she left home, and crossing the Collyweston-bridge took the footpath to Easton. Before she got to the bridge she met a man walking in the direction of Ketton. He did not speak to her. She had crossed three fields and was in the fourth, when she heard someone running behind her. She turned round and was seized by the shoulders and swung down by the man she had passed near the bridge. He said "he must have her money, and would have it". The fellow knelt on the ground and held her down, and on her screaming out for mercy, he attempted to stifle her cries by pressing her throat with his thumbs. She could hardly breathe, and in her desperation, although only of somewhere slender frame, she managed to push the man aside, and regained her feet. He again threw her down. She struggled with him, and by some means got one of her hands into his mouth, when the fellow attempted to bite her fingers. By way of a ruse she told him "her husband" was coming, and she offered to give him her money if he would let her go. He then allowed her to get up, received her purse, and ran off in the direction of Easton. The place where she stopped is about a mile from any habitation. Miss Whincup hastened home and acquainted her father with what had happened. He and his son at once mounted and commenced the pursuit of the main, who was in a short time captured near the Tinwell railway crossing by Benjamin Brighton, of Easton, one of the Marquis of Exeter's gamekeepers. On being asked for the purse he gave it up, and he admitted to PC Caffery, who came up soon after and searched him, that he had committed the robbery. The purse contained five shillings, two sixpences, and a four penny-piece. In the afternoon, the man, whose name is Dan Wells, from Newark, was taken before C.O. Eaton, Esq., and committed to the Northamptonshire sessions. He is believed to be of somewhat weak intellect, and has lately been employed by Mr Dainty, of Duddington, whose service he left previous to committing the offence. [Fanny Whincup was aged 28 at the time]

Jane Meadwell, Elizabeth Louth, Mary Wright and Ann Burrows, all of Ketton, were charged by Thomas Nutt with stealing a quantity of wood, value 6d, in Ketton on the 28th ult. Charge withdrawn on payment of 1s 6d each.

Ann Naylor, of Ketton, was charged with assaulting Sarah Storey, at Ketton, on 4th July. Case dismissed on paying 5s 4d costs

Sarah Storey, of Ketton, charged with disorderly conduct in alehouse, at Ketton, on 4th July. Dismissed on paying 6s 4d costs

Maria Martin of Ketton was charged with stealing 11lb of potatoes at Ketton, on the 11th November last, the property of Everard Calthrop Esq. Sentenced to seven days imprisonment with hard labour.

Alfred Woolley of Ketton, miller, for having a horse straying on the highway, at Ketton, on the 16th August last, was fined 15s including costs

Robert Swingler of Ketton, for assaulting Thomas Norris at Ketton on the 23rd August last, was fined 10s including costs

Thomas Nutt of Ketton, stone merchant, was charged by Mr Smith, Supervisor of Excise, with keeping a horse without a licence, at Ketton, on the 7th August last. Fined £5. Defendant was also charged by Matthew Tomblin of Ketton with assaulting him on the 29th October last, at Ketton. Fined £5 including costs.

Robert Nutt of Ketton, stone merchant, was charged with assaulting Matthew Tomblin at Ketton on the 29th October last. Fined £2 10s including costs

Elizabeth Percival of Ketton was charged with stealing a pair of boots, at Ketton, the property of Martin Smithson on the 19th October last. Sentenced to twenty one days hard labour

William Burrows of Ketton was charged with being drunk and riotous on the highway at Ketton on the 13th June last. Fined 15s including costs

George Skellett of Ketton was charged with being drunk and riotous at Ketton on the 27th June last. Dismissed on paying costs

Samuel Dunford of Ketton was charged with committing a breach of the peace at Ketton, in June last. Dismissed on paying costs

James Astin and Samuel Astin of Ketton, were charged with committing wilful damage to a wall at Ketton, on the 9th December. Dismissed - the defendants setting up a claim of right, the court had no jurisdiction

Thomas Nutt of Ketton was charged with an encroachment on the highway. Adjourned for a month, defendant undertaking to remove the wall

William Bull of Pilton was charged with furiously driving a horse and cart at Ketton, on 24th Oct last. Fined £1 including costs

George Dye of Ketton was charged with refusing to quit licensed premises at Ketton on the 14th March last. Fined £1 including costs

Frederick Ball of Ketton was charged with absenting himself from the service of his master, Thomas Nutt, without leave, on the 28th May last. Dismissed on paying costs 2s 10d

Eli Newbold of Ketton was charged with wilful damage to a gate of Mr Perkins's at Ketton, on the 16th May last. Dismissed on paying costs 11s 7d

Laxton Boyall, of Ketton, was charged with being drunk and riotous at Ketton, on the 17th May last. Dismissed on paying costs 7s 10d

Elizabeth Percival of Ketton was charged with stealing 3lb 3oz of beef at Ketton, on the 21st March last. Sentenced to six weeks hard labour

Frances Hibbins, of Ketton, was charged with assaulting Eliza Boulton, at Ketton on the 19th April. Dismissed on paying costs.

James Burrows, of Ketton, farm servant, was charged with refusing to fulfil his contract. Ordered to return to his service and complete contract, and pay costs 6s 10d

Laxton Boyal of Ketton was charged with stealing a scythe at Ketton, on the 23rd August last, the property of Alfred Woolley. The ownership of the scythe being disputed, the case was dismissed.

William Wilford of Ketton was charged by the Excise, with keeping a dog without a licence, on the 9th June last. Fined in the mitigated penalty of £1 5s

Richard Osborn and James Harrison of Ketton were charged with a game trespass at Edith Weston on 3rd December last. Fined £2 4s 10d

Charles McGraw of Tixover was charged with assaulting Charles Skellett of Ketton, also with assaulting William Scotchbrook of Ketton, at Ketton, on the 8th ult. Fined £1 15s 4d in each case including costs

Edward Richardson of Ketton, beerhouse keeper, was charged with permitting drunkenness on licensed premises at Ketton, on the 23rdult. Dismissed with a caution

Joseph Osborn and Henry Sampson of Ketton were charged with wilfully killing a cockerel at Ketton, on 24th March last. Osborn was fined £1 including costs and Sampson 10s including costs

John Green, William Woods, William Dunford, Robert Clarke and Richard Walker, all of Ketton, were charged by the Inspector of Nuisances of the Stamford Union with allowing a nuisance to exist on their premises at Ketton on the 30th May. Adjourned to next petty sessions

Henry Stafford and William Yates, labourers, and Matthew Weldon, engine driver, were each fined 11s, including costs for being drunk and riotous on the highway at Ketton on 31st August last.

Frederick Ball and Joseph Percival, both of Ketton, labourers, were charged with using snares to take game at Ketton on the 23rd May. Dismissed

William Wright, of Ketton, labourer, was charged with assaulting Thomas Joyce at Ketton on the 18th May. Fined £1 13s 10d

George William Marriott, of Ketton, was charged with an aggravated assault on Jane Johnson, at Ketton, on the 22nd August. Sentenced to fourteen days hard labour, to pay costs 11s 4d, and to be bound in the sum of £10 to keep the peace for six months

Charles Mason, of Ketton, was charged under the Public Health Act, with having a house so overcrowded as to be dangerous and injurious to health. Ordered to abate nuisance.

Thomas Gooud, of Ketton, engine driver, was charged with being drunk and riotous on the highway at Ketton, on the 7th July. Fined £1 7s 2d including costs. Defendant was also charged with assaulting James Astin, at Ketton, on the 7th July. Dismissed on paying costs 2s 10d.

Francis Whincup of Ketton, brewer, was charged with assaulting Catherine Whincup, at Ketton, on the 13th May. Dismissed. (67 year old Francis was 39 year old Catherine's father in law)

Sarah Sampson, of Ketton, cottager, was charged with leaving cattle straying on the highway at Ketton, on the 18th May. Ordered to pay costs 7s 10d

Agnes Marian Hunter was charged with stealing a sovereign and six three penny pieces at Ketton on the 26th December last, the property of the Hon H L Melville. Sentenced to 28 days hard labour.

Henry Green and Henry Dunford were charged with stealing the rail of a fence at Ketton, on the 24th Nov. Ordered to pay costs 4s 10d each

Charles L Hine, of Ketton, brewer, was charged with travelling on the Midland Railway in a superior carriage to that for which his fare had been paid, on the 27th Nov. Fined £1 including costs

At the Rutland Petty Sessions, held at Oakham, on Monday, a lad named Joseph Wright, 13 years of age, was summoned for placing a piece of iron upon the Midland Railway, at Ketton, near Stamford, on April 28th. Shortly after 6pm on the Saturday evening in question, a porter, on going to light the signal lamps, discovered a piece of iron used by platelayers, and known as the "saddleback" and weighing 25lbs, lying across the down line of metals. He promptly removed it, and whilst hastening to the station waved his hands in token of danger, and accordingly a train which was about to start was delayed, and an accident averted. The Ketton station master said if the obstruction had not been discovered when it was, the train must have been thrown off the line, as the engine-guard would have passed over without touching it. The defendant pleaded guilty, and was sentences to one month's imprisonment, and to receive twelve stripes with the birch rod.

Jane Johnson, married woman, Ketton, was charged by Joseph Green of the same place, with assaulting him, by throwing water upon him on May 16th. Complainant said on the day named he went to defendants house to speak to her husband respecting one of his (Johnson's) children. His and defendants children had been quarrelling and he went to ask Johnson to chastise his own children. Complainant was standing on his own ground, and because he would not go away the defendant threw a [illegible] upon him, followed by a pail of water. William Lambert gave corroborative evidence. In defence, Mrs Johnson alleged that she was provoked by the complainant. Defendant was fined 10s including costs

Susan Barwell, a respectably dressed married woman, of Ketton, was charged with stealing coal, of the value of 6d at Ketton, on the 22ndult, the property of Robert Andrew. Prosecutor, a cottager, said on the 22ndult, he met the prisoner coming out of his yard. She was carrying something under her arm, wrapped up in an apron. She lived next door and he followed her and asked her what she had got? She said, "a pail of water". He replied "You could not carry a pail of water under your arm". She then said "Well, my boy, it's a bit of coal". PC Johnson stated that he apprehended the prisoner on the charge, and she admitted stealing the coal. Prisoner pleaded guilty and was fined 15s or seven days imprisonment.

Richard Stanyon, Joseph Towell, Samuel Mason, Samuel Dunford and Harry Lee, all of Ketton, members of the Salvation Army, were summoned for causing an obstruction on the highway at Ketton on the 28th November.

Jane Johnson was charged by Alfred Pearson with assaulting him at Ketton on 7th December. Mr A W Tuck appeared for complainant. Complainant stated that on the afternoon in question he was in the street in conversation with a Mr Hayes, between four and five o'clock. He had been to Stamford County Court the same day where the defendant had been summoned by him and ordered to pay a certain debt due from her. Whilst standing in the street at Ketton, defendant went up to him and abused him shamefully; it would not do for him to repeat her language to the Bench. Defendant followed him down the street continuing to abuse him, and said "If I can't do for you, my husband shall". She had been waiting for complainant for over an hour. The Chairman told defendant that the magistrates were satisfied that she did assault complainant and she must pay the costs without a penalty, amounting to 12/-.

Walter Butcher (17), labourer, pleaded guilty to burglary at Ketton, and stealing money amounting to 11s and seven cigars, of the value of 1s, the property of John William Goodliffe. His Lordship said he should treat the case as a small theft rather than as one of burglary, and as a first offence. Prisoner has been locked up for four months, and in consideration of that fact, he was sentenced to ten days imprisonment.

David Cole, labourer, Ketton, was charged with wilfully damaging a window, the property of Robert Henry Andrews, at Ketton. It was stated that the defendant caused the damage by a catapult, and the people of Ketton were almost in fear of their lives through the prevalence of these things. Cole was fined 10/- and his father would pay for the damage done to the window.

William Dunford, labourer, Ketton, was charged with stealing a silver Geneva watch, value 30s, the property of Mary Tomblin, a widow, at Ketton in or about the month of October 1893. Prosecutrix said the accused lived next door but one to her, with his mother. She (witness) had a silver Geneva watch in her possession, which she kept in a drawer in her bedroom. She last saw the watch during the month of August 1893, but did not miss it until the following January. She was in the habit, when she went out, of leaving her door-key with the defendant's mother. She never said anything about the watch being lost only to her daughter and son-in-law. Alfred Brown, landlord of the Bull Inn, Ketton, stated that in the "back end" of last year the defendant came to his house and in the course of conversation he offered witness a pawn-ticket for a watch. He declined to give him anything for it, whereupon the defendant said if he liked to get the watch out he could, as he was too poor himself to redeem it. The watch had been pledged for 5d in the name of W Wright and defendant explained this by saying he had been out a bit, and did not want anyone to know he had pawned it. Witness did not get the watch out of pawn, but on a subsequent occasion Mrs Tomblin's son-in-law came in, and, chancing to mention the matter of the watch, he asked to look at the ticket and, on producing it, he told witness that a watch had been missed from his mother's house. Robert Henry Andrew, carter, Ketton, then went to Mr Atton's pawnbroker, of Stamford, and there saw a watch which he identified as belonging to his mother-in-law, the prosecutrix, and which he knew she had missed sometime previously. He redeemed the watch and subsequently handed it over to the police. Dunford pleaded guilty saying he was sorry for what he had done and he hoped the magistrates would take into consideration that he was the support of his mother, who was a widow. He had been in the army fourteen years and left with an excellent character, which was handed it. The prosecutrix asked for the accused to be leniently dealt with. Dunford was not sent to prison but had to pay a fine of £2 and costs amounting to £1 16s 3d, or in default, fourteen days hard labour. He was given a fortnight in which to pay the amount.

Ann Wright and Ellen Yates were charged with assaulting Catherine Birch Towell at Ketton on 8th December. Ordered to pay 16s including costs. Catherine Birch Towell was charged with assaulting Mary Ellen Yates at the same time. Case dismissed. [Mary Ellen Yates, 23, was the niece of Catherine Birch Towell, aged 29, through marriage]

William Henry Yates, labourer of Ketton, was summoned for assaulting Joseph Towell at Ketton on the 8th December. Fined £1 10s, including costs or 14 days.

At the Stamford County Court, on Thursday, before his Honour Judge Wightman Wood, Edwin Andrew, labourer, Ketton, sued George Freestone, farmer, Kilthorpe Grange, for £5 5s damaged for an assault on the 3rd September, whereby plaintiff alleged he was prevented from making thirteen day's work in harvest and a week's work after. Defendant paid 11s, including costs, into Court in satisfaction of the claim, but at the same time denied any liability to the plaintiff. The assault complained of was alleged to have been committed while plaintiff was in defendant's employ. Andrew stated that there was a dispute between him and Mr Freestone about a rake, and the last-named knocked him down. After hearing the evidence, his Honour said he was satisfied an assault was committed and he would give a verdict for the plaintiff for 10s damaged, but as that amount had already been paid into Court, plaintiff would have to pay the costs.

At Oakham yesterday the Rev John Hudson, curate of Great Casterton, was charged with being drunk at Ketton, on August 13. A police constable saw defendant come out of the Northwick Arms drunk. He had a bicycle and walked in the direction of Stamford. A soldier later complained that while cycling he had been run into by the defendant. Defendant offered to pay for the damage and offered witness half a sovereign to say nothing about it. Defendant denied being drunk and said the half-sovereign alluded to he promised to give the soldier if 12s 6d was not sufficient to cover his damage. An hour later he met another police officer and told him what had happened. He asked him if he was drunk and he replied that he was perfectly sober. Defendant called his housekeeper who said that when he arrived home he was sober. The bench fined him 10s and 7d, 6d costs

Another motorist fined. Henry Tryon, motor-car driver, Stamford, was summoned for driving a motor-car on the highway, through the village of Ketton, at a greater speed than was reasonable, having proper regard to the traffic on such highway, on the 23rd June. PC Foyle said about half-past two on the afternoon in question he saw defendant driving a motor-car in the village of Ketton. He noticed he was going at a greater speed than twelve miles an hour, and so he stopped him and asked for his name and address, which he gave him. Defendant said he could not do twelve miles an hour with the car he had, because it was a brand new one, and the engine worked stiffly. A witness called by the police said he was in a field near Ketton Grange, and defendant went by him at seventeen or eighteen miles an hour "like a flash of lightening". Fined £5, including costs.

Thomas C Molesworth, of Ketton, was summoned for not having his name and address on a locomotive at Uffington, on February 10th. Mr Evans, of Stamford, appeared for the defendant and pleaded not guilty. PC Darcey stated that on the day in question he saw an engine attached to two trucks loaded with flour, at Uffington. He asked the man in front if the name and address was on the engine, and he replied that it was on the off side. Witness looked, and all the letters to be seen were "T" and "rth" whilst underneath was "Ketton", all written in chalk. He called the driver's attention to the fact, and told him he should acquaint his master. The driver stated that his master knew all about it. He also stated that the steam escaped near to where the name was and that it sometimes "sent the letters off". Mr Evans called the attention of the Bench to the Act, and said that it did not specify how the name was to be affixed to the engine so long as it was clear. The two men in charge of the engine both stated that the name and address could be clearly seen. The Bench, however, held that an offence had been committed, and the Chairman remarked that Mr Molesworth had been similarly summoned previously, and he should have thought that, if the engine did the amount of travelling that Mr Evans stated, it would be far better for defendant to have the name painted on, and not run any risk of the steam washing it off. The Bench had dealt very leniently with the defendant on a previous occasion and they appeared to be in a lenient mood that day. He would be fined 10s and the costs 4s 6d.

At Stamford, on Saturday, Mrs Constance Mary Wilson, of Ketton, was summoned for obstructing the highway by leaving a motor car standing in Red Lion Square, Stamford, for an unreasonable time, viz. one hour and twenty-five minutes, on June 6th. PC Bembridge said that when spoke to defendant replied "Where was I to leave it? I left it there while I went shopping. I did not think it was in the way". Fined £1.

Robert [aged 17], a baker's assistant, was summoned for driving a motor cycle in Ketton without being duly licensed. Arthur Henry Capendale [aged 25], milk seller, was summoned for aiding and abetting with the offence. The cycle belonged to Capendale who was riding pillion fashion at the time teaching Woolley how to drive the machine. They each had to pay 5s

Albert E Barwell (14), Percy F Blades (15), Thomas W Whittaker (15), golf caddies, Albert A Shakeshaft (15), Charles B Walpole (15), labourers, Horace Stafford (15), and Douglas H Blades (14), all of Ketton, were summoned for destroying telegraph insulators at Ketton, between the 28th May and 10th July. Mr Kelham appeared for all the defendants and pleaded not guilty.

Harry Watson Stubbs (13) and Frederick Stubbs (11) were charged with stealing the sum of 10s 1½ d from Archibald William Nunn, schoolmaster at Ketton. They were further summoned for committing wilful damage to two windows and a door, to the amount of 17s 6d. The boys pleaded guilty and said they took the money to buy "fish and chips". The lads were ordered to receive six cuts with the cane.

On Saturday at Stamford, Thomas Casswell Molesworth, of The Firs, Ketton, a miller and farmer, was charged with obstructing the highway in High Street, Stamford, on Saturday October 16ht, by leaving his motor-car standing for a long and unreasonable time - thirty minutes. Defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr C Atter and after a lengthy investigation, the case was dismissed

Charles James Sharman, baker, Ketton, was summoned in respect of a number of loaves exposed for sale at Ketton on the 1st April. Inspector Bissill stating of sixteen loaves weighed in defendant's bakehouse, in his and his wife's presence, twelve were light from half an ounce upwards. Fined £2.

At Stamford on Saturday, George James Andrew, butcher, Ketton, was summoned for failing to exhibit a Road Fund licence on a motor-cycle. Defendant said he had the licence there although he had broken the glass in the holder. PC Whelbourn said he noticed a piece of wood in the licence retainer when the cycle was on St Marys Hill in Stamford on June 27th. The corners of the licence were doubled over, and the glass was missing. Defendant told him the glass was broken when he was playing cricket. The defendant told the Magistrates he did not know he was doing wrong by not having a piece of glass in the holder. Fined 5s.

Thomas Gill, tailor, of no address, was brought up on remand on a charge of breaking and entering a lockup garage at Ketton, and stealing ten watches, valued at £3 18s, the property of Albert Lee, during the night of the 22nd July. Lee said his garage was in the High street at Ketton, and about 9:30pm on the 22nd July he locked everything up, leaving everything in order. Next morning, about 6:30am, he found that a pane of glass in the window had been taken out and he missed ten Ingersoll watches.

Walter Dennis Shakeshaft, carpenter, Ketton, was summoned for riding a bicycle without a light, at that village, at 10:30pm on 31st May. PC Smalley said when defendant got within twenty yards of witness, he jumped off the machine and said he was riding. There was no lamp on the machine. Defendant denied that he jumped off the bicycle; he was nearing home and had no occasion to ride. He had not a lamp because he did not think she should need one. The Chief Constable said a summons would not have been taken out if the defendant had owned up. He was fined 2s 6d and 2s 6d witness's costs.

Walter Dennis Shakeshaft, carpenter, Ketton, who was fined 7s 6d at the last Court for riding a bicycle without a light was now ordered to pay 10s for an exactly similar offence at Ketton on the 4th August

At Stamford on Saturday, Albert Cecil Jackson, of Ketton, was charged with stealing a bicycle lamp, value 2s 6d at Stamford, and was bound over for twelve months, and ordered to pay 15s costs by instalments of 1s 6d weekly. Defendant told the Magistrates he was unemployed and on the "dole" receiving 12s 6d a week of which he gave 11s to his mother, with whom he lived. Mr J. J. Hegarty, engineer, Ryhall, gave evidence as to the lamp being stolen at the Central Cinema, Stamford, where, when he visited the same room again, he saw it on another bicycle but it had been painted white and when this was rubbed off he found his name and address scratched thereon.