An old case withdrawn

Charles Wright, of 4 Path Cottages, Southgate Road, Pottters Bar, was summoned for having a cart without a light on September 20th, at Bell Bar.  Mr L.A.L. North, solicitor, appeared for the defendant.  Supt Sullivan said that one of the chief witnesses in the case was in hospital, and the doctor stated that he would not be able to attend the Court for two or three months.  He applied that the case might be adjourned.

Mr North said that the defendant was first summoned there on November 2nd, and that at that time the injured man could have been there, as he was about Hatfield.  The matter had been hanging on and proceedings had now been commenced in the High Court.  It would be grossly unfair to allow this summons to hang over the defendant’s head any longer.  He suggested to the Superintendent that it would be only fair if he withdrew the summons.  The Clerk said the summons was issued as long ago as November.  So far as the Justices were concerned it was a simple case, as to whether there was a lamp on the cart or not.

Mr North said he was prepared to prove that there were two lights on the cart, one of which was knocked off as a result of the collision which occurred at the time, and the horses then ran away.  It was an extraordinary thing that since the case first occurred one of the most important of his witnesses had fallen down dead.  On the suggestion of the Bench Supt Sullivan agreed to withdraw the summons.