Victorian Bridgend: Bridgend Petty Sessions.

The Davies Building, Caroline Street.. 

Recently I have been trawling thorough the Victorian Newspaper of our area - below are some interesting extracts that I have come across whilst research Bridgend Petty Sessions, which is basically a Victorian "Who is in Court?".

2/9/1864
Sarah Williams and Elizabeth Williams were brought up in custody of the police charged with stealing a shirt. The former was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, and the latter was dismissed.

20/11/1870

William Webb, vagrant, was charged with destroying his trousers in the Work House. He said he thought it more decent to tear them off inside than to let them blow off outside. Sentenced to ten days' hard labour

20/5/1871

Mary Conolly, Julia Sullivan, and Catherine Sullivan were charged with assaulting Ellen Welsh. The complainant stated that she met the first defendant on Saturday week, and she (defendant) made use of insulting expressions, and wanted to fight her, but she refused, and was then struck. One of the defendants also attempted to stone her, but Conolly interfered, and wished to have a fair fight." A number of persons gathered round, and tried to make them fight. All three defendants assaulted her. They were fined Is. 6d. and costs each. 

13/1/1877

A labourer, named Cotten, was brought from Ireland to answer a charge of non-maintenance. When he was produced it was found that the wrong man had been apprehended. He was discharged and the prosecutors ordered to give him £1 to defray the cost the return journey.

18/8/1877

David Thomas, a tramp, was charged with entering the house of Mr Charles E. Sawyer, at Bridgend, and stealing ham to the value of 80s. The prisoner was committed for trial.

17/12/1881

George Evans Taylor, Bridgend, was sent to gaol for seven days for being drunk and disorderly in Nolton Street, on the previous Tuesday evening.

29/8/1885

Henry James, of Blaengarw huts, Pontycymer., labourer, was charged with stealing a flannel shirt, the property of Henry Harris, of Pontycymer, and was committed for trial at the sessions.

27/5/1892

John Keys. of no settled abode, was charged on remand with indecently exposing his person.—Police-constable Rees said defendant had been about the town begging for about a fortnight, but he did not see him exposing his person to the little girl.—Prisoner was sent to gaol for seven days.

10/6/1892

James Dupplaw, lessee of Maesteg Market-place, was charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide at Maesteg Police-station. The circumstances of the case have already fully appeared in the South Wales Star.—John Richard Hill, son of Sergeant Hill, said that on the morning of May 25, about 8.30, he saw defendant hanging and appearing to be dead. He at once cut him down.

The Chairman commended witness for his conduct.  Dr. T. W. Clayton said he saw defendant a few minutes after Dr. Thomas in the cell. Defendant was very restless and irritable. He was trembling all over. and could not stand. Witness believed defendant was suffering from the effects of delirium tremens. Defendant had had several such attacks before, but had never previously attempted self-destruction. Defendant was allowed to go on Dr. Clayton promising to get Mrs. Dupplaw to look after him.