Rabbits and warrens

At Watton Petty Sessions Edward Aldridge, John Warren, and George Warren, labourers, Aston, were charged with game trespass at Aston on August 27th.  John Topham, farmer,  of Aston, said the defendants were employed by him as labourers.  On August 27th they were working in the harvest field when the defendants left their work and ran after some rabbits.  Each of them killed a rabbit and refused to give them up.  They all said the rabbits belonged to them and they meant to have them.  He had told the men they were not to kill the rabbits.   Aldridge said the complainant had never told them not to kill the rabbits.  Several witnesses were also called who said they had worked for Mr. Topham at haytime and harvest and had never been told they were not to kill rabbits.  Defendants were fined 6d. each including costs.