Game Trespass

James Bird and John Luxon, colliers and Joseph Thompson, labourer, Conisborough, were summoned on a charge of trespass in pursuit of game, on land at Conisborough, over which Mr Nicholls of Leeds, had the right of shooting, on the third inst.

Mr Hall appeared for the prosecution.

Bird did not appear, and Luxon was represented by his wife.

John Appleyard, a youth, stated that on the above date he was on a pony and saw the three defendants in a field, in the occupation of his mother, picking mushrooms up and ranging about with a dog. Luxon had a gun. Witness then went for his uncle.

In reply to Thompson witness said that they threatened to blow his head off.

Francis Appleyard, farmer, said the field in question was about 2 miles from Conisborough. Witness went with his nephew and when he got there the men were getting into the lane. He charged them with trespass and in search of game, when defendant swore by all that was holy that he had not. He afterwards saw Luxon, who said he and Bird had gone to get some game but they were going on to Lord Fitzwilliam’s land, when Thompson persuaded them to go onto Appleyard as they could better get what they wanted.

Thompson said he was acting as keeper for Mr Whitfield, who had the next farm, and you are simply going the nearest way on. He did not know the other two men.

Thomson had been convicted 24 times previously, many times for game trespass, and was fined 40 shillings and costs; Luxon, who had been fined once before, 20 shillings and costs; and Bird, who had not been before the bench previously 10 shilling and costs.