Hoddesdon chauffeur fined

Hertfordshire Mercury, 9th October 1915

Transcript

Ernest Benjamin Dutch, motor driver, of Hoddesdon, was summoned at Harlow on Saturday for carrying lights on a motor-car of greater brightness than necessary for the safety of the public, at Harlow on September 13. 

Special Constable Hart said he was on duty at the George Corner at 1.30 in the morning when he saw a car, driven by the defendant, coming along with three bright lights  – one headlight and two sidelights.  The former was smeared thinly with whitewash on the upper part, but it could be seen at a long distance.  The witness stopped the car and asked the defendant to extinguish the headlight, but he refused to do so.  He also refused to produce his licence, and restarted the car, the witness having to move to prevent himself from being knocked down.

The defendant said he told the witness to move out of the way so that he could draw to the road-side, and he struck at him (defendant) with his stick.  He denied that he refused to extinguish the lamp.  John Smith, hay dealer, of Nazeing, was summoned for obstruction at the same time and place.  PC Reader said when he told the defendant Dutch to put out his lights Smith got out of the car and said: ‘You are not going to poke your nose into that car while I am here.’

The witness told him if he obstructed him he should arrest him.  He examined the car, but found nothing of a suspicious nature.  The defendant said the witness had a searchlight flashing on the car, in which was his wife , who was suffering from a nervous breakdown; he pushed the door, but never touched the constable.  The Bench considered both cases proved, and said they were serious offences.  A fine of £5 was imposed on each defendant.

This page was added on 21/05/2015.

Add your comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!