Charles Quick (on bail), a boy about nine years of age, was indicted for having on 10th September, at Kingsnympton (sic), feloniously set fire to a stack of corn, the property of Gilbert and Ann Pinsent. Mr. Clark prosecuted; Mr. Mortimer defended. Mr. Clark having opened the case, his Lordship said they must have strong pregnant evidence to show that the prisoner had a wicked intention at the time he set fire to the rick. There did not seem to be any such evidence, but rather that the fire was the result of an accident and that when the rick caught fire, the prisoner made an attempt to put the fire out. Mr. Clark said he was very much inclined to think the fire was an accident. He could not call such evidence as would lead the jury to think the prisoner had a felonious intention. Under those circumstances his Lordship directed the jury to acquit the prisoner.
[Exeter Flying Post: Wednesday 17th March 1869: James Pinsent, Ware Barton, Kingsteington: Lawe’s Manures: see also Exeter Flying Post: Wednesday 28th April 1869: and many others]
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0065 Hennock: Anne Pinsent: 1833 – 1907
GRO0369 Hennock: Gilbert Pinsent: 1840 – 1918