Thomas Spencer, carter, Tunstead, was summoned for disorderly conduct. P.C. Middlesborough said that about 8-30 on Monday night, the 23rd inst defendant was under the influence of drink and acting in a disorderly manner at Waggoner Tunsteads Fined 2s 6d and costs or seven days imprisoment.

 

 

 

   

 William Clegg, 17, Heys Street, and Anthony Collis 16 Plantation Street, were each fined 1s and costs for playing football in Market Street on the 10th instance.  P.C.Harris proved the case. Complainant said if he was not going ot pay what was due he must go out and come back again when her husnb

 

 

 

 

February 21st 1891 A Deserter.

Elijah Dowling, an able seaman, who had surrended himself on Monday night, and admitted that he deserted from Her Majesty's ship " Duke Of Wellington ", at Portsmouth, in June last was committed for custody of the Captain of Her Majesty's ship " Eagle" now lying off the docks at Liverpool.

 

 

 

September 8th 1906 -  Drunk and Disorderly

George Bainbridge of Irwell Street, Bacup was charged with being drun and disorderly. P.C Willis said that at 10.15 on Saturday night he saw the defendant in Back Irwell Street. When the defendant saw witness he went into the house. Going to the street 15 minutes later  witness saw defendant with his coat and vest off, and also heard him swearing. He was saying he did not care if he got six months or not. Witness found the prisoner was drunk so he took him to the police station. Prisoner said he lived in Back Irwell street and was a navvy at Cowpe. He was fined  5s and costs, in default eight days.

 

 

September 8th 1906 -Disorderly Conduct

 Thomas France, a weaver, Blackwood, was summoned for disorderly conduct. P.C Ford said that at a qaurter to tweleve on Sunday night he was in Newchurch Road opposite the Iron bridge, when he saw defendant and another man. Defendant was shouting  and using bad language. He became very abusive, and witness told him he would be reported. Prisoner admitted offence and was fined 2s.6d and costs or 7 days.

 

 

1876

Another Sunday Tippler

James Swain,  Chimney sweep was summoned for drunkeness, police officer Ritchings said that at twenty past eleven o'clock on Sunday night, the 11th instant, he was on duty in Yorkshire Street and heard a great noise in Newgate, and on proceeding there he found the defendant drunk and disorderedly. He requested Swain to desist and go home, and told him that if he did not do so he would have to lock him up, when a man who resides near took him into a house. Mr Munn asked him what he had to say, when Swain replied he was drunk, but it was the first time, and he hoped the court would be lenient with him. He

 had lived in Bacup eight years. After being cautioned he was ordered to pay costs.

 

 

 

1876

Another Sunday Tippler

James Swain,  Chimney sweep was summoned for drunkeness, police officer Ritchings said that at twenty past eleven o'clock on Sunday night, the 11th instant, he was on duty in Yorkshire Street and heard a great noise in Newgate, and on proceeding there he found the defendant drunk and disorderedly. He requested Swain to desist and go home, and told him that if he did not do so he would have to lock him up, when a man who resides near took him into a house. Mr Munn asked him what he had to say, when Swain replied he was drunk, but it was the first time, and he hoped the court would be lenient with him. He had lived in Bacup eight years. After being cautioned he was ordered to pay costs.

 

 

 

 

Temple Court was a warren of tiny passages and courts situated in the area of today's Market.

 

Job Cork a carter was brought up in custody charged  by P.C. Ritchings with sleeping in one of Messrs Sutcliffe's stables early that morning. Prisoner said he had been to Todmorden, and had no where else to sleep, but had got  men at the sewerage works. He was discharged with a caution.

 

 

June 1877

Magistrate Present

 T. Aitken Esq.

 

Thomas Hutchinson, alias “Jockey” was charge with being drunk and causing a disturbance in Temple Court on Sunday night. Prisoner, it appeared, had been drinking during the evening and at closing time went to his lodgings at Turners eating-house, Temple Court, and took a number of comrades with him. He asked for supper to be made for them, and because his wish was not complied with he began to break the pots upon the Table. Hutchinson was then expelled from the house and commenced a disturbance in the court, when he fell into the hands of Sgt Bull and was hence locked up. He was fined 5s and costs.

 

 

 

 

1886 

Repentant Fish Hawker

Samuel Hall, fish hawker was summoned for being drunk and disorderely. P. S. Beardsworth said that at half past eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, that he saw the defendant in Market Street drunk and making a great disturbance. He told him to go home, but half hour later he found him again in Burnley Road. Hall was wet through, he had been in the river and said he would drown himself. Defendant said he was sorry for what he had done and was fined 5s and costs.

 

 

 

 

Bacup Petty Sessions Saturday May 30th 1863.

Before John Dawson Esq. and Captain Aitken.

Assault on a policeman - On Thursday at the courthouse, before John Dawson Esq, and Captain Aitken, John O’ Hara, James Gorman, and Thomas Haley, were charged with an offence of the above nature. P.C.Pickering said that about twelve o’clock the previous night the three prisoners were shouting and making a great deal of noise upon the Newchurch , Road, Stacksteads. He several times requested them to go away, when O’Hara and Gorman seized him by the collar, of his coat and tore it. He succeeded in getting the prisoner O’Hara handcuffed, when Haley seized him by the legs and tried to put him on the ground. P.C.Taylor came to his assistance, and they succeeded with much difficulty in brining O’Hara to Bacup. The other prisoners escaped but were afterwards captured in the town, and safely lodged in the lockups. P.C.Taylor corroborated the evidence of the last witness. In answer to the charges O’Hara said that he had had a friend over from Bradford, who had paid from some drink for him and acknowledged being drunk but denied assault. The other two prisoners said that what they did was to persuade the officer to let O’Hara go. The prisoners have been previously convicted, and are “ known” to the police. It is said that O’Hara was in receipt of 2s.6d a week from the parish. They were sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment, namely O’Hara, 28 days, Gorman 21 days, Hayley 14 days.

 

 

 

Bacup Petty Sessions Saturday May 30th 1863.

Before John Dawson Esq. and Captain Aitken.

Arrears In Bastardy - James Nuttall, a factory operative, was brought up in custody on the above charge. The complainant, Alice Ann Heyes, of Millend, sued for £2.3s said to be the amount of arrears and the usual cost, allowed in cases of this nature. She stated that she was without parents and had not been able to work since her confinement, and that the prisoner had not paid her any money since the birth of her child. In answer to the charge, prisoner said that he had been out of work till late but was now working five days a week at 1s, 8d per day. He could not pay the money now, but might perhaps be able to pay some next week. Mr Dawson said  that if the prisoner did not pay the money he had no choice but to commit him for two months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bacup Police Court February 3rd 1872

Magistrates Present :- T Aitken, Esq.

A Shipwrecked Sailors Unfortunate Adventure - John Allsopp, a coloured man, who said he came  from Baltimore, was brought up on a charge of vagrancy. Owen W Williams, a commercial traveller from Rochdale stated that at half past two o’clock in the afternoon of the previous day he was driving up Newchurch Road, when the prisoner beckoned for him to stop. Witness took no notice of the prisoner, when the latter again called out, “Heigh, stop, I want you”, ran up to the conveyance and took hold of the horses head. Allsopp was under the influence of drink, and Mr. Williams asked him what he wanted, when prisoner replied relief, and said he was a shipwrecked sailor from America, and was hard up. Mr. Wiliams refused to give him anything and said that if he did not leave go of the horses head he would give him charge to the police, whereupon prisoner began to use the most disgusting language, and refused to go away. The police were sent for, and very soon P.C.’S Bull  and Heywood were on the scene, and assisted Allsopp into one of the cells at the police station. In answer to the charge prisoner said he had nothing to say, he was very drunk at the time, he hoped the magistrates would forgive him, as he had a wife and three children. He was committed to prison for one month.

 

 

 

 

March 17 1900

John Pickup, Carter of Rockliffe was summoned for selling coals in sacks  without labels. Police clerk Profit said that at 11.45 on Wednesday he saw defendant delivering sacks of coal from a lurry on Bankside Lane. He counted 18 sacks without labels as required by the bye-law. He drew defendants attention to the matter, and defendant said he did not know he should have labels on. Witness  weighed one of the sacks and found it to be correct. The chief constable said the bye-law had been posted up.  Fined 5s and costs.

 

 

Patrick Foy labourer, Bottoms Row Stacksteads, was summoned for maintenance arrears. The Chief Constable said this man was before the courts on 2nd August 1899 for assaulting his wife, and was then fined 5s and costs and a separation order was granted with 5s a week. Defendant went to prison for assaulting his wife. He understood defendant had gone to live with his wife again.  The  Magistrate asked " have you gone back to your wife " Defendant " Yes Sir ", The Magistrate asked " Why haven't you paid this money". Defendant " I don't know, I thought I was straight when I went back to live with her ".  The magistrate asked " Did you think you could back here and pay nothing ".Sentenced to seven days in prison or pay 9s owed and costs.  Defendant " I have not got it today".

 

Michael Monghan a weaver from Sandholes Row, Stacksteads, was also  summoned for not paying maintenance arrears. The Chief Constable said this was a similar case. This man had also gone back to his wife, and owed £1 1s. The separation order was made on the 29th August. Defendant said " I thought I was straight with going down". The Chief Constable said that  in October 1899, defendant was committed for a month with liberty to settle and he had not paid the fine. The Magistrate said " You will have to pay this money or have fourteen days".

 

 

1903

A Prisoners Blessing

It is not very often in police court business that the magistrates and officials receive the blessings of a prisoner, but such was the case yesterday. morning when  Mary Grady, a well known Bacup, woman who has been living of the town for some time, surrended herself to a summons issued so far back as 1899, for disorderely conduct. The Chief Constable said that in that case the prisoner had given herself up on warrant dated 2nd September 1899, for a summons of disorderely conduct. He asked the magistrates however to withdraw the charge as if she had kept a (way they should not have bothered her.

Mary who made a low curtsey to the magistrates and officials as she entered the room, addressed Mr Shepherd as " your honour" and said she had been living in Blackburn.

Mr Shepherd  " Have you been behaving yourself ? "

Prisoner " Oh yes your honour".

Mr Shepherd " The Chief Constable - Prisoner  ( interrupting )  "God bless Him! ".

Mr Shepherd ( continuing ) " Has shown great sympathy towards you.

Prisoner " Thank you.

Mr Shepherd "And the case will be withdrawn against you.

Prisoner (as she was leaving the court )  " God bless yer Honour, and God bless Mr Haworth, and the Chief Constable, and Mr Downing. ( Laughter ) After she had got out of court she retraced her steps to invoke a similar blessing on Mr Wright.

" That's it" concluded Mr Shepherd, with a smile " Don't forget Mr Wright ".

 

 

May 11 1904

At the Bacup Police Court on Monday, before Messrs George Shepherd and Mr James  Haworth. Arthur Scott, of Irwell Street, Bacup,  was charged with being drunk and disorderedly. P.S. Crossley stated that on Saturday afternoon last about five o'clock he saw the prisoner near the Bulls Head Hotel, just outside the backyard. He was fighting with another man, and was in a very drunk condition. Witness caught him and got him tot he police station where he was locked up. Prisoner - " I was too drunk to do anything, Was I fighting ? " - P.S. Crossley Yes. Prisoner - " Well it is something I know nothing about ( Laughter ) I was drunk, and know nothing about it " Mr Shepherd - " You will be fined 5s and costs or 8 days hard labour.

 

 

June 9th 1906

At the Bacup Petty Sessions  on Wednesday before Messrs. James Haworth on the Chair . J.T.Hoyle and Capt Munn.

 

Morris McNulty, of Stacksteads was fined 5s and costs for being drunk and disorderly on Bulls Head Bridge, on Saturday Night.

 

George Taylor, of Waterfoot was charged with being drunk and incapable at Tong Bridge, on Saturday night. Prisoner offered no defence, but asked to be let off saying that he had a wife and six children. Mr Aitken said if such was the case he ought not to get drunk he was fined 5s and costs.

 

 

Michael Rouke, weaver, Stacksteads, was summoned by his wife, Ellen Rourke, for an assault, but the case was adjourned owing to the complainant being that day attending the funeral of her mother.

 

 

 

 

 

May 16th 1906 Court Report

Michael Moran, a young man from, Irwell Lodging house was charged with being drunk and disorderly. P.C.Willis said that at 9.15 on the night, he was called to Enoch Laycock lodging house to eject the prisoner. When he arrived prisoner had left the house and gone to Irwell Street where he began swearing and using bad language. Witness too him into custody, and on the way to the police station  prisoner became so violent that the handcuffs had to be put on. Inspector Downing corroborated as to prisoner being very drunk and violent. Moran who was before the Magistrates only a month before was fined 5s and costs or eight days in prison.

 

 

May 19th 1906 Court Report

John Howorth a peddler was charged with drunkenness PC Middlesborough deposed to finding prisoner in Market Street the previous evening at twenty minutes to eleven. He was under the influence of drink and when witness requested  him to go home he said he had no home to go to, and no money. He was thereupon taken to the police station. The Chief Constable said the prisoner was not so drunk, but that he would have been allowed to go home if he had had anywhere to go. He had however no home, and no money to get any lodgings so he was taken to the police station really to keep him from harm. The Magistrate discharged prisoner on his promising to leave the town.

 

 

 

 

September 1906 Court Report

George Bainbridge, Irwell Street, Bacup was charged with being drunk and disorderly. P.C.Willis stated that at 10-15 on Saturday night he saw the defendant creating a disturbance in Back Irwell Street. When the defendant saw witness he went into the house. Going back onto the street fifteen minutes later. Witness saw the defendant with his coat and vest off, and also heard him swearing. He was saying he did not care whether he got six months or not. Witness found the prisoner was drunk, so he took him to the police station. Prisoner said he lived in Back Irwell Street and was a navvy at Cowpe. The chairman told him he would be fined 5s and costs, in default eight days.

 

 

 

1913

Sunday Football In The Streets

Four Bacup youths named James Jackson, 20 Coal Drawer, Austen Street, Albert Woodhead 13, and John Crompton 15 Coal Drawers of Kershaw Street, and John Howarth, Doffer of Irwell Street, were summoned for playing football in the street. P.S. Crossley, said that at 3.30 on Sunday afternoon last he saw the four defendants kicking an India rubber ball about in Lee Street. When they saw him the lads run away. He subsequently saw them at their homes, and told them they would be reported. The Chief Constable said playing football on Sundays had become quite a nuisance in that neighbourhood. Jackson who had been convicted previously was fined 2s.6d and costs. Woodhead and Howarth 1s and costs, and Compton was let off on payment of costs. The alternative was seven  days hard labour in each case.

 

 

 

October 14th 1916

A mother was jailed for 2 months after being found guilty of running a brothel. Mother and daughter Lydietta Abbott and Elsie Abbott, of Slater Street, Bacup had been observed for nine days by two constables of Bacup Police force, and from what the constables saw they had no doubts that the house was being used as a brothel. After a hearing that lasted three hours the Magistrates reached a verdict that the Mother was guilty of the offence and was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment with hard labour at Strangeways Gaol but that the daughter  would not face charges because she had been under the influence of her mother.