A Poaching Excursion: William Pinsent, of Hennock, Sidney Batten, and Samuel Powlesland, of Bovey Tracey, were summoned for trespassing on land owned and occupied by Mr. Washington Singer, at llsington, on the 12th ultimo in search game. They pleaded gouty. Mr. Eastley, of Paignton, who prosecuted, stated that on the day named, Mr. Samuel Courtier, who had for some time looked after the interests of the owner of the land in question, saw the defendants going towards Haytor Common. Having the previous night seen two of the defendants going there with ferrets, Mr. Courtier determined to follow the men and accordingly he got his horse and followed them to Haytor Common. Upon arriving there Mr. Courtier saw defendants trespassing with ferrets and nets, and on his approach they ran away. Courtier overtook Pinsent, who gave a wrong name, and threatened to throw a stone at Mr. Courtier and break his neck. Mr. Courtier induced Pinsent to go with him to Mr. Singer’s house, Leighon, and on the way they met the other defendants, who accompanied them to Leighon where it was found the men had nets and. ferrets in their possession. Batten and Powlesland conducted themselves quietly, but the case of Pinsent was very different. Samuel Courtier bore out Mr. Eastley’s statement, adding that Pinsent had a big stick in his hand upon the occasion in question, and threatened to knock the witness off his horse, and used most disgraceful language. Pinsent denied using threats towards Mr. Courtier. In the case of Pinsent, a fine of 30s inclusive was imposed, and Batten was fined 15s. The Chairman stated that Powlesland seemed to have been led on by the other defendants and would only have to pay his share of the costs — 3s 6d.]
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