Riding a bicycle without a light

At Much Hadham Petty Sessions George Akers, a labourer, of Hadham Cross, Much Hadham, was summoned for riding a bicycle on the public highway without a light on August 15 at Hadham Cross.  He pleaded guilty.  P.c. Emerton said that on the day in question at 9.25 p.m. he was on duty at Hadham Cross and saw the defendant riding a bicycle without a light.  When stopped and asked the reason he said: ‘I’m very sorry, I’ve only come a few yards.’  The witness in reply to Mr Fitzroy Doll said the defendant lived at Hadham Cross next to the Bell and was stopped about 80 yards from the Bell.  The defendant said he was a labourer working at Kettle Green.  He had been in the public house and did not know what the time was.  The Chairman said he must pay 1s., and recollect that he had got off precious cheaply.  He warned him not to repeat the offence and said it was all in his favour that that was the first time.