Joseph ‘Salty’ Thompson – Rabbits

November 1878

Mexborough Times, November 8.

“Salty” Thompson again

17 Couples of Rabbits

Joseph Thompson, greengrocer, Conisbrough, was again brought up charge with a breach of the Poaching Prevention Act, on 31st
ult.

Mr superintendent Todd, said the defendant was charged under the Poaching Prevention Act 1862, with having game in his possession, unlawfully obtained on 31st ult.

Inspected Beavers was on duty inHigh StreetMexborough, and saw the defendant, driving a pony and cart. On the cart there appeared to be a ´bulk´ of something which was covered. It was found to be a hamper with 17 couples of rabbits in it. The rabbits he examined and 13 couples had evidently been “trapped” and caught in a fallow or turnip field. The other four couples had all been killed a few hours, were very clean and wet. The charge was that the four couples have been “poked”. As for the other 13 couples they might have been honourably come by, or they might not.

Mr Inspector Beavers, deplores that at 10 AM on Thursday the 31st ult he was in high Street Mexborough, and saw the defendant driving on a light cart drawn by a pony. On the cart was a “bulk” of something covered with an oil cover. From something that came toour (witnesses) knowledge he expected defendant would be bringing some rabbits to Mexborough, which have been poached that night he (witness) said he should seize them as they were poached rabbits.

Defendant replied that if he did seize them he would do wrong, as he had come by them all right, having got them from Sheffield.

Witness then asked him if he had any bill or anything to show. He said “no” he (witness) then took out of the cart and asked defendant to go with him and see them counted and examined. He declined however to do so.

PCCade counted and examined them carefully. On opening the lid of the hamper he could see that there were two kinds. That was easy to see. 13 couples had been killed in a day or to, and on their feet was some clay or red soil, which was dry. They were clearly “paunched” and their fur was ruffled, and they appeared to have been packed. The other four couples were quite fresh, and had been roughly paunched, that was they had not been paunched in a businesslike manner. The feet of the four couples were very wet, as if there had been taken on grassland; had no soil on their feet. Amongst the 13 couples were several with their legs broken as if there had been trapped, but the others were fresh killed, and had no legs broken, having apparently been “netted”

Witness was perfectly satisfied that the four couples when he first saw them, had not being killed 12 hours. The 13 couples had been killed at least two days. Witness brought the rabbits to Doncaster, and took out a summons against the defendant.

PC Cade spoke to having assisted Inspector Beevers to count and examine the rabbits, and in several particulars corroborated his (Mr Beevers) evidence.

Mr G Palmer, on behalfof the defendant, submitted that the rabbits had been bought in Sheffield. The day before, that was on the 30th ult. and produced a receipt for £3 3s 4d which he alleged was for the rabbits which had been seized. The reason he did not produce a receipt when Inspector Beevers seized them, was because he had it at his home.

The chairman said the bench had decided that there was not sufficient evidence to convict, and the case would therefore be “dismissed.”

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