Game for the task

On 29th November 1915, in Hoddesdon, Inspector Moles said, at Cheshunt Petty Sessions, that, at 12:15 on that day, he had heard a shot fired in Essex Road.  He saw Oliver Clark of Whitley Road and Joseph Halsey of Burford Street trespassing on the land of G. W. Frogley.  He ‘collared’ both men, yet found no game.  Despite being found on the land, the two defendants each denied having been there, yet a local gamekeeper was able to give corroborative evidence confirming that both men had been carrying a gun.

At the hearing, both men were shown to have previous convictions.  Clark had 3 previous (although none for game trespass) and Halsey had 14 previous convictions.  The magistrate was convinced by the evidence and both men were appropriately sentenced.

Both men were seen to have been game for the task.