Herts Advertiser - April 1871
Vagrancy at St Albans
From the Herts Advertiser, 1st April 1871
LIBERTY PETTY SESSIONS
Saturday, March 25.
Present - F. A. McGreachy, Esq., in the chair; Rev. W. S. Wade; W. H. Solly, Esq.; G. R. Marten, Esq.; H. J. Toulmin, Esq.
VAGRANCY
Frederick Green, 47, was brought up in custody on remand from Wednesday, charged under the Vagrancy Act with sleeping out in the parish of Sandridge on the 22nd ult.
The prisoner pleaded guilty.
Mr. Deayton, the governor of the goal, reported that the prisoner was convicted of the same offence a short time ago, and had in fact only been discharged on Saturday last.
The prisoner replied that he slept out because he had no home to go to. He was to have commenced work next morning having obtained a job.
Police-constable Quint stated that in consequence of receiving complaints of the manner in which men, like the prisoner, were in the habit of sleeping under ricks with pipes in their pockets. About midnight on the 22nd ult. he proceeded to Mr. Arnold's ground, and there found Green lying on some straw near a rick. He said he was going to work with a machine next morning, but whether this was true or not he had not been able to ascertain.
The Chairman enquired why the prisoner did not enter the tramp ward of the workhouse, instead of sleeping out, when he could not obtain lodgings.
Prisoner: I went there once, but found it such a dirty place that I did not like to go again.
The Chairman, after strongly admonishing him against another repetition of the offence, committed him for a week.
ANOTHER VAGRANCY
Charles Bland, 15, labourer, Redbourn, was charged on remand with sleeping out in St Michaels on the same date.
The prisoner admitted his guilt, and intimated that he had nothing to say in extenuation.
Police-constable Quint deposed to finding the prisoner lying on a couple of sacks in the barn of Mr. Barford, St. Michaels. He had been "loafing" abour St. Albans for some time, and was wanted by the Borough police on another charge.
The Rev. W. S. Wade gave him a bad character, and stated that he had been leading the life of a vagabond for some time.
Prisoner, having been convicted at the Assizes and also punished for felony, wilful damage and assault, was sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment with hard labour.