Shop Lighting Order

At Cheshunt Petty Sessions on Wednesday, John Percy Thompson, of High Street, Waltham Cross, was summoned under the Defence of the Realm Act for failing to reduce the intensity of the inside lighting of his shop on November 16.  He pleaded not guilty.  PC  Foord stated that at 7 p.m. on November 16 in company with PC Rolfe he was in High Street, Waltham Cross, when he saw an incandescent burner at the far end of the defendant’s shop throwing a ray of light through the doorway across the road to premises opposite.  When told by the witness that the facts would be reported, the defendant said: ‘I am very sorry.  I lit the gas about 4 o’clock and forgot to put the shade up.’  In reply to the defendant, the witness said it was a fairly bright night.  The light was situated at the far end of the counter, nevertheless a beam was thrown on to shops on the other side of the road.  The defendant: ‘There was only one light which was shining brightly, and that was the moon.’  PC Rolfe gave corroborative evidence.  PC Foord stated that on October 1 he went to the defendant’s shop about two gas lights which were burning, but he did not see Mr Thompson on that occasion.  The defendant said he could only say he had done everything possible to meet the requirements of the police.  All his windows were darkened as much as possible.  The Bench imposed a fine of three guineas.