Wrongful purchase of a soldier's boots and spurs

At Hertford Borough Sessions on Thursday, Walter William Bacon (22), greengrocer, of 50 Railway Street, was charged with buying a pair of Army boots from a Herts. Yeoman named Johnson, contrary to the regulations of the Army Act, 1881, on September 30, and Matthew Donohoo (30), fishmonger, of 11 Riverside, was charged with buying a pair of spurs from the same soldier.  Both defendants said they held the goods as security for money lent, and pleaded ignorance of the Army Act.

Sergt. Palmer said the defendant Bacon when accused at first denied buying the boots, but afterwards admitted that he had told a lie, and said he gave 2s. for them.  The boots were new and were worth 17s. 6d..  Donohoo told the witness that he did not buy the spurs, but lent a shilling on them.  They were valued at 6s..

Sergt. W.C. Lindell, of the Herts. Yeomanry, said the boots and spurs were issued to Johnson on September 15.  For the defence, Bacon’s brother said the boots were first offered to him, and neither he nor his brother thought they were Army boots, because they had no Government mark upon them.  Donohoo said that the soldier told him they were his own spurs, and Henry Oliver Wright said he was present when Donohoo lent the soldier a shilling on them to get some tobacco and beer.  The defendants, who were informed that they were liable to six months’ imprisonment, were fined 10s. each.