Criminality

Weston Turville Criminality

With the exceptions of the Quaker residents, the notorious John Mobley and Suffragist Evelyn Sharp, it is likely the criminality profile of Weston Turville is very similar to other rural villages in England.

John Mobley (1798 - 1889)

From our research so far, the most prolific offender from Weston Turville. He assumed many aliases in a long career of improbably impersonations, mostly of transported convicts. Finally dying in Aylesbury Union Workhouse. For more information see our Family History Page and The Historical Society's book of his life.

From the Front page of The Guardian.

Evelyn Jane Sharp (1869-1955)

Pacifist, journalist, author and suffragist, who lived in Weston Turville Manor House through her teenage years.

In 1911 she became prisoner number 11528 at Holloway Gaol. Refusal to pay tax with representation led to her also being considered a bankrupt. Sued by her brother Lancelot for mismanagement of the family trust. For more information her biography "Evelyn Sharp: Rebel Woman" is readily available.

Trading Standards

Weights & Measures

We've found no evidence of enforcement of Weights and Measures Acts prior to the 1834 Act. This act provided a very short period of preparation and came into operation on 1st January 1835.

In Buckinghamshire eight copies of the imperial standard weights and measures were purchased and access provided around the county under the charge of the eight high constables of the divisions (Aylesbury, Ashendon, Buckingham, Burnham, Cottesloe, Desborough, Newport and Stoke). 

In November 1834, two Inspectors of Weights and Measures were appointed, Mr. William Gleadah of Aylesbury for the North and Mr. Joshua Rolls of Great Marlow for the South. Mr. Gleadah was also the Inspector of Corn Returns at Aylesbury and Clerk to the Union Workhouse.

Mr. Gleadah set a tight schedule to compare all the weights and measures used for commerce in his jurisdiction to their imperial standard and if found just, stamped.

In the records we've found no prosecutions in Weston Turville during this period, and this seems to have been a common position around the County. This suggests a period of leniency, challenges of enforcement or that more likely that the Act was ignored. The topic was regularly debated by the Council but without action between 1840 to 1843 when a different approach was suggested.

A single inspector for Buckinghamshire at a salary of £100 per annum with power to search for defective Weights and Measures with incentives linked to the imposed penalties and fees. (10% of penalties and 10% of stamping fees). A similar scheme was said to be operating successfully in West Sussex.

Two candidates were proposed, Mr. Joshua Phillips, High Constable of Marlow and Mr Gleadah. The results were very close, with 12 for Mr. Phillips and 11 for Mr. Gleadah.

This marks a turning point in the enforcement of the Act in Weston Turville (and the rest of Buckinghamshire). Mr. Phillips visits Wendover on July 10th and Aylesbury on 11th resulting in seven convictions in Weston Turville for having in their possession deficient weights and measures, at the July 29th Aylesbury Petty Sessions.

At the same Petty Session there were 51 convictions in other villages (The Lee, 3; Edlesborough, 1; Stoke Mandeville, 2; Stone, 2; Dinton, 3; Cuddington, 6; Aston Clinton, 12; Buckland, 2; Wendover, 9; Whitchurch, 10; Hardwick 1). This clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the new measures and the increased seriousness with which the Weights and Measures Act was regarded. A good outcome for consumers and a very good pay day for Mr. Phillips.

There followed subsequent convictions in October 1844.

In 1851, Mr. Phillips brings a charge against Edward Knapp, a butcher of Weston Turville for three light weights 2lb., 1lb., and ½ lb.. He had only taken over the business four months previously and the Chairman only fined him £1, including costs.

Joshua Phillips went "out of post" in 1852. It is likely that at some point during his time as  Buckinghamshire's Inspectors of Weights and Measures that his remuneration were changed to a salary, as by April 1852 his replacements started charging for the service and Mr. Phillips seems to have been held in high regard by traders.[1] By September it seems Mr. Denson had taken Joshua's role and there are disputes relating to weights approved by Mr. Phillips but declared unjust by Mr. Denson.[3]

Joshua Phillips (abt. 1789 - 14 Oct 1854)

Had a portfolio career, even more diverse than that of Mr. Gleadah. In the 1847 directory he is described as Landlord of the "Kings Head", high constable & Inspector of Weights and Measures. The 1852 directory also lists him as a Plumber and Glazier, which is how he was listed at probate. Joshua's first wife, Hannah died while he held the office of Buckinghamshire Sole Inspector of Weights and Measures.

1854,Thomas Dean is charged for having unjust and unstamped scales and weights used for weighing coal. The scales used were 14lbs. deficient. The explanation provided was that the scales were always made right with a 14lb. weight previous to weighing. The Bench considered this a very bad case, and fined the defendant £5, including costs.

1856, William Bates is found guilty of selling a loaf deficient in weight "three-quarters of an ounce short in a 2lb. loaf. Fined 7s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. costs.

In April 1857 the Weights and Measures function for Buckinghamshire was covered by five Inspectors of Weights and Measures who were supplied with a complete copy of imperial weights and measures, horse and cart and sets of harness each.[2] The original request was for eight fully equipped inspectors.

September 1857 two Weston Turville bakers were before Petty Sessions in Aylesbury.

June 1863, Alfred Ginger, (the new landlord of "The Chandos Arms"), was summoned for having four unjust measures, purporting to be pint measures, in his possession. The deficiency was at the rate of half a pint to the gallon. Fined, including costs, 20s.

September 1870, James Roberts, landlord of "The Chandos Arms", was fined with costs 17s. 6d for having three pint measures on his premises, deficient half a gill each.

1882, James Hockey, grocer and baker of Weston Turville was charged with selling a 4lb loaf adulterated with 20grs. of Alum. An Aylesbury chemist however stated that alum was frequently developed in wheat while harvesting on certain soils andlast season 20grs. did not seem excessive. Case dismissed!

May 1915, James Oakley of Weston Turville was found to be delivery cwt sacks of coal, one 3lbs deficient and another 4lbs deficient. It turned out he had weighed the full sacks, not just it's contents. The difference was the weight of the sack itself. Mr. Oakley was fined 10s.[7] 

WW1 - Contravening the Bread Order

Bread was not formally rationed during The Great War, but a combination of poor harvests and reduced food imports the government took steps to influence consumption.[5]

The Bread Order was introduced in May 1917 which:- 

1917 June 09, Trevor George Bates, baker of Weston Villa, Weston Turville pleaded guilty for possession of a balance that was false, but not guilty of selling a loaf of bread, but not by weight. His son had sold a half-quartern loaf to Inspector Lake but when asked to produce his scales they were found to be rusty and useless. The Inspector found no loaves of the correct weight, all were deficient by between 1oz to 3ozs. Mr. Bates had not submitted any scales for examination since 1913. He explained he had only left the scales in the cart in-case the police stopped him and wanted to see them. The chairman complimented him for being so frank. The defendant explained that the loaves were made for Halton Camp, but 42 had been returned so some were four or five days old and he was obliged to sell them under the order. Fined 10s for the first case and £1 in the second and the scales confiscated.[4]

1917 Aug 11, Trevor George Bates, baker of Weston Turville accused of selling bread on 23rd June which was warm and soft and assumed that it had been baked less than 12 hours previously, contravening the Order. It was also seen as not being fair to baker who were obeying the Order. To overcome the difficulty of establishing the age of the loaf, it was shown to two leading Aylesbury bakers, without hesitation, both declared the loaf had been baked less than 12 hours before.  Trevor Bates defence was that he had covered the loaves with a macintosh sheet that would keep the bread warm for up-to two days. He pleaded Not Guilty and apologised for his absence the previous week, owing to illness, and to thank the Bench for adjourning the cases. Guilty £5 for selling bread made less than 12 hours. The expert bakers were each awarded 10s. 6d. for their contribution to the case.

Next, Trevor Bates was charged with the loaf being 2½ ozs. deficient of 2 lbs. A further twelve loaves were tested with a combined deficiency of 13½ ozs. and none were overweight. Mr. Bates was surprised as he used 2¼ lbs. of dough for each loaf., his defence was that his children had played with the weights and placed them under the pan, there was no intention to deceive the public.  Guilty £10 for improper weight.

The Bates Family

Lived at Weston Villa, Bates Lane. As well as the bakery, they farmed eight acres of arable land and seven acres of pasture.

Trevor George Bates (02 Jul 1870 - 22 Oct 1861) had eleven children (between his first wife Florence and second wife Lucy). 


1917 was not a good year for Mr Bates in court:- 

1940, International Stores (Aylesbury) Was fined £4 for selling underweight butter in Weston Turville and Wendover. Very complicated explanation/defence.

ADULTERATED MILK

1932, Joseph Spittles, cowkeeper of Stoke Mandeville accused of selling milk in Weston Turville containing 7.17% of added water. Defence was his cats had tipped water from the rain water butt or the corrugated iron sheet roof had sweated. Guilty fined £1 and £1 11s. 6d. costs.

1939, Walter Stephen Robinson, dairyman of The Villa, Weston Turville pleaded guilty to two charges of selling adulterated milk in Weston Turville. Samples contained 17.7%, 10% and approximately 21% added water. There were also nitrates foreign to cow milk, but common in tap water. Defence was that he had suplimented his own milk with some from another farmer as two of his cows had gone dry. Fined £1 for each case and £2 5s. towards costs.

Other Retail Crimes

Not Surrendering Rationing Permits

1945 (Feb) Trevor George Bates pleaded not guilty to 

Found Guilty of failing to surrender buying permits and failing to keep correct records, but the case for failing to give receipts for coupons was dismissed. Fined a total of £10 and £3. 3s. advocate's fee.

Trevor George Bates had 26 previous convictions, 15 since 1941.[11]



Highway Code

Obstructing the Highway

1867, Thomas Dean, Wheelwright of Weston Turville. Obstructing the highway with a heap of manure eleven yards long, four feet wide and up-to 3 feet high. There were many complaints to the Parish Council and police. P.C. Sharp gave Thomas Dean five days to clear the road, but found a portion of the heap remaining six days later. The defence was that by the sixth day, he didn't own the manure that was left as he had sold it to Mr. Peter Parrott. Fined of 10s. 6d.[7]

1888, John Brett, Swing-boat proprietor was found guilty of obstructing the highway near the Plough Inn with two wagons laden with swing-boats. There were no horses attached to them so assumed they were to be left overnight. He was ordered to move them and fined 10s., including costs.

No Man with flag in front of Traction Engine

In 1865, under the Locomotive Act, also known as the “Red Flag Act”, a man was obliged to walk 60 feet (approximately 18 meters) ahead of a traction engine, holding a red flag. This law was introduced due to the perceived danger of these vehicles. The law came into force on 1st September. However, in 1878, the rules were changed and the red flag was required to be carried just 20 feet (approximately 6 meters) in front of the engine. The purpose of the flag bearer was to warn pedestrians and horse-drawn vehicles of the approach of a self-propelled machine. The speed limits at that time were also quite low, with a maximum of 4 mph in the country and 2 mph in towns and cities. 

1865 November, George Axtell, proprietor of a traction engine, was fined in the mitigated penalty of 15s, including costs, for not having, according to the new Act, a man in advance of his engine sixty feet, with a red flag, whilst it was passing through the village of Weston Turville, Bucks. Defendant pleaded, that he was ignorant of the requirements of the the Act.

1865 25 November

References