Poaching at Northaw

At Hatfield Petty Sessions Arthur Gritty, of Walton Road, Enfield, was summoned for trespassing on land belonging to Admiral Sir Hedworth Meux, at Northaw, and taking rabbits.  The defendant did not appear and Sergt. Croxen, of the Metropolitan Police, proved the service of the summons.  Henry James Fox, gamekeeper to Admiral Sir Hedworth Meux, said he was in Cattlegate Wood on the day in question when he saw the defendant go to a rabbit burrow, break open the hole, and take out two rabbits, which he killed.  The witness got up behind him and took the rabbits, and asked him what he was trespassing there for.  The defendant replied: ‘All right guv’nor, it’s a fair cop’.  The defendant came out of the wood with him and made his way towards Enfield.  In answer to the Bench he said he knew the defendant quite well as he was summoned at this Court for a similar offence a year ago and fined 5 shillings.  The Magistrates inflicted a fine of 10 shillings this time.