At the Boxford Police Station on Friday, before Sir William Brunette, Albert Baker and Arthur Sandford, labourers, of Boxford, were fined £5 each for unlawfully entering land at Stoke-by-Nayland, in the occupation of Wm. Pickering, with a gun, for the purpose of taking game contrary to the Night Poaching Act. They were charged by Henry Wm. Dudley, gamekeeper, Stoke-by-Nayland.

The Court Room had an unusual appearance, resembling a game dealer's shop, for 15 fine pheasants graced the wall. Both defendants pleaded guilty.

SMART CAPTURE

Mr. J. N. B. Ashton (Bankes Ashton and Co., Bury St. Edmunds) said that on the night of November 13th, the Keepers were watching the land occupied by Mr. Pickering, and over which Lord Davies had the shooting. They heard several shots. Very soon the defendants came to where they were concealed. There was some scuttling. Baker had four pheasants in his pockets, and Sandford dropped a bag containing 11 pheasants. Baker swung his gun round and round to evade capture. No one was hurt, and both defendants gave in and were conveyed to Boxford Police Station.

The defendant Sandford said that some of the pheasants were shot on his father's land.

The gun produced was provided with an up-to-date silencer.

After a short retirement the Chairman told defendants that they had narrowly escaped being sent to prison. The offence to which they had pleaded guilty was a business which had got to be stopped. Each was fined £5; in default one month's imprisonment. In addition, the defendants are to be bound over in £10 not to again so offend for a period of 12 months.

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