At Cheshunt Petty Sessions, James Turner, of Holloway, and Harry Broughton, of King’s Cross, were charged with unlawfully playing a game of chance i.e. the 3-card trick, at the Hunt Steeplechases at Broxbourne on the 2nd April.
Police Constable Lilley, of Harpenden, said that he had been on duty at the racecourse when, at 3.30 p.m., he had seen a crowd near the refreshment tent, which he then found to be a result of the two accused, and 2 others not in custody, playing the 3-card trick. The defendants had made off, but Broughton was caught with a table and some cards in his possession. The Constable took him into custody.
On the way to the police tent, Broughton had said something to Turner who happened to be following on behind, and he also tried to pass some money on to Turner, but dropped it. Turner then picked up half a sovereign and made away, but was himself caught by Superintendent Reed.
Mr Windsor, a solicitor, contended that there was no case against Turner who had been arrested just because he had picked up the half sovereign.
Superintendent Smith gave an account of the history of the two men accused, both of whom had a long list of convictions.
The Bench inflicted a fine of £10 each, in default of 2 months’ hard labour.
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