MySource:RichardK/Convictions of James Kempson

This page details the convictions of James Kempson and any associated press coverage.

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempston Committed: 4 Mar 1862 Ref: 6629 Age: 15 Offence: Stealing a pair of Women's boots. Stealing a pair of Women's boots. Stealing a pair of Children's shoes. Committed by: Rev. F.W. Adey, L. Ames Esquire Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 2 Calendar Months Hard Labour, 2 Calendar Months Hard Labour and 1 Calendar Month Hard Labour Previous conviction details: No Discharge date: 28 Jul 1862 General remarks on prisoner: 18 & 19 Vic value 5/6, 9/- and 3/6

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempstone Committed: 10 Nov 1863 Ref: 7418 Age: 16 Offence: Stealing Fowls Committed by: Rev. H.B. Smythe, H. Brandreth Esq. Trial date: 5 Jan 1864 Trial type: Bedfordshire Quarter Sessions Trial session: County Sessions Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: Acquitted No. of previous convictions: 1 Previous convictions details: Vide 6629 Discharge date: 5 Jan 1864

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 14th November 1863: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL.- James Kempster [sic] for trial, for stealing 12 live fowls, value 20s., at Luton, on the 28th November 1862...

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempstone Committed: 12 Apr 1864 Ref: 7653 Age: 17 Offence: Stealing Turnip Tops Committed by: Levi Ames Esquire, J.S. Crawley Esq. Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 1 Calendar Month Hard Labour No. of previous convictions: 1 Previous conviction details: 6629 Discharge date: 11 May 1864

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempston Committed: 2 May 1865 Ref: 8132 Age: 20 Offence: Stealing Turnip Tops Committed by: J.W. Sullivan Esq., Rev. H.B. Smyth Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 1 Calendar Month Hard Labour No. of previous convictions: 3 Previous conviction details: Vide 6629, 7418, 7653 Discharge date: 31 May 1865

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 6th May 1865: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL ... Wm. Willis, James Scrivener, James Kempston [sic], one month each, and James Messenger, twenty-one days, for stealing a quantity of turnip tops, value 10s., at Luton...

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempstone Committed: 21 Nov 1865 Ref: 8422 Age: 19 Offence: Stealing Fowls (2 charges) Committed by: F.W. Sullivan Esq. Trial date: 2 Jan 1866 Trial type: Bedfordshire Quarter Sessions Trial sessions: County Sessions Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 1 Year Hard Labour No. of previous convictions: 4 Previous conviction details: 6629, 7418, 7653, 8132 Discharge date: 1 Jan 1867

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 25th November 1865: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL ... James Kempstone [sic], William Smith, Charles Cook, Thomas Nash, Thomas Sanders, for trial, for fowl stealing, at Luton...

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempson When committed: 5 May 1868 Ref: 9852 Age: 21 Offence: 1. Stealing Turnip tops (growing crops) 2. Assault Committed by: L. Ames Esq., Rev. H.B. Smyth Trial / conviction date: 23 Jul 1868 Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 1. 14 Days Hard Labour 2. 21 Days Hard Labour No. of previous convictions: 5 Previous conviction details: 7652 [sic - although this reference is actually James's father Joseph, who was convicted alongside his son on that occasion] & 4 times Old Prison Discharge date: 6 Jun 1868

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 9th May 1868: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL ... James Kempson, 14 days, for stealing turnip-tops, at Luton, and to be further committed for 21 days for assaulting police-constables Daniels and Kitchener, at Luton.- Joseph Kempson, 14 days, for stealing turnip-tops, at Luton...

Bedfordshire Mercury, Saturday 16 May 1868: LUTON. PETTY SESSIONS, Monday, May 4. Present: Col. Ames, chairman, and the Rev. H.B. Smyth STEALING TURNIP TOPS, &c.-Joseph Kempson and James Kempson, father and son, of Totternhoe, were convicted of stealing turnip tops from Henry Scarborough, farmer, of Luton. The elder prisoner said that he was driven to it by want; and there were two previous convictions against him. Each committed for 14 days for this offence. The younger prisoner then pleaded guilty to assaulting the police officials, Daniels and Kitchener, on their going to apprehend him, and for this offence he was committed for a further period of 21 days.

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: John Kempston [sic - but previous conviction details suggest this is actually James] When committed: 20 Oct 1868 Ref: 10177 Age: 21 Offence: Gambling Committed by: L. Ames Esq., F.W. Sullivan Esq. Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence:: 14 Days Hard Labour No. of previous convictions: 6 Previous convictions details: 6629, 7418, 7653, 8132, 9852 Discharge date: 31 Oct 1868

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempson When committed: 9 Nov 1869 Ref: 11034 Age: 21 Offence: Wilful Damage Committed by: L. Ames, Esquire, Rev. H.B. Smyth Trial type: Summarily Convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 14 Days Hard Labour, or 32/- No. of previous convictions: 7 Previous conviction details: 6629, 7418, 7653, 8132, 8422, 9852, 10177 Discharge date: 22 Nov 1869

Luton Times and Advertiser, Saturday 13th November 1869: PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY. Present - Col. Ames, chairman; and Rev. H.B. Smyth... Another Case. Henry Munn, Hiram Simpson, and James Kempston [sic] were charged with damaging underwood on 2nd of November, the property of John Shaw Leigh, Esq., to the amount of 7s. Mr. Neve was for the prosecution. A gamekeeper said he heard the boughs with the nuts on broken. He had turned these men out of the woods twice himself. They had stones in their hands, and used threats when he followed them. The court found Munn and Kempston guilty. Munn had been here several times, and Kempston had also been here before. Ordered to pay 7s. costs, 7s. damage, and a fine of 6s, or 14 days. Allowed only to the rising of the court to pay the money. Both Munn and Kempston said Simpson was not there at all, though the gamekeeper had said he was. Simpson was bound over to appear next Monday, when he can produce his witnesses.

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 13th November 1869: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL ... Henry Munt and James Kempston [sic], 14 days each, for wilful damage to underwood, at Luton...

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempston When committed: 9 Feb 1870 Ref: 11208 Age: 21 Offence: Game Laws Committed by: R. Oakley Esq., F. Lucas Esq. Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 14 Days Hard Labour or £1 No. of previous convictions: 7 Previous conviction details: 6629, 7418, 7653, 8132, 8422, 9852, 10177 Discharge date: 22 Feb 1870

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 12th February 1870: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL ... John Darrington, two months, Thomas Day and James Kempson, 14 days each, for game trespass at Shitlington.

Luton Times and Advertiser, Saturday 3rd September 1870: PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY. Present:- G.W. Lydekker, Esq., chairman; and Rev. H.B. Smyth... Nutting. James Kempston [sic] and Anthony Barford were charged with maliciously breaking certain underwood, the property of J.S. Crawley, Esq., to the amount of 1s., on the 21st inst. Fined 13s. 3d. or 10 days.

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kemspton [sic] When committed: 13 Sep 1870 Ref: 11544 Age: 21 Offence: Wilful Damage Committed by: Rev. H.B. Smyth Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 14 Days Hard Labour or 23/3 No. of previous convictions: 9 Previous conviction details: 6629, 7418, 7653, 8132, 8422, 9852, 10177, 11034, 11008 [sic - presumably 11208] Discharge date: 26 Sep 1870

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 17th September 1870: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL ... James Kempston [sic], 21, for 14 days, for wilful damage, at Caddington.

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempson When committed: 8 Nov 1870 Ref: 11666 Age: 22 Offence: Wilful Damage Committed by: G.W. Lydekker Esq., Rev. H.B. Smyth Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 14 Days Hard Labour or 22/6 No. of previous convictions: 10 Previous conviction details: 6629, 7418, 7653, 8132, 8422, 9852, 10177, 11034, 11208, 11544 Discharge date: 21 Nov 1870

Luton Times and Advertiser, Saturday 12th November 1870: PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY. Present - G.W. Lydekker, Esq., chairman; and Rev. H.B. Smyth... Damaging Trees. James Kempston [sic] and John Pedder, both of Luton, were charged with wilful damage to certain ash and larch saplings on the 1st inst., the property of J.S. Crawley, Esq. Chapman, a gamekeeper, proved that saplings were damaged in the track taken by the defendants, who were professedly gathering acorns. Pedder was fined 10s. 6d. or 10 days, Kempston 12s. or 14 days.

Northampton Mercury, Saturday 12th November 1870: COMMITMENTS TO BEDFORD GAOL ... James Kempson, 14 days, for damaging underwood, at Luton.

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempston When committed: 4 Jun 1872 Ref: 12406 Age: 24 Assaulting P.C. Committed by: Rev. H.B. Smyth, F.W. Sullivan Esq. Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 6 Weeks Hard Labour No. of previous convictions: 11 Previous conviction details: 6629, 7418, 7653, 8132, 8422, 9852, 10177, 11034, 11208, 11544, 11666 Discharge date: 15 Jul 1872

Bedfordshire Mercury, Saturday 8th June 1872: COMMITMENTS TO THE BEDFORD GAOL. ...Levi Lines and James Kempson, 2 months and 6 weeks respectively, for assaulting Police-constable Walker, at Luton...

Luton Times and Advertiser, Saturday 30th November 1872: ST. ALBANS, LIBERTY PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23. Before T. Kinder, Esq. (in the chair); W.H. Sally Esq.; F.A. McGeachy, Esq.; G.R. Marten, Esq.; and H.J. Toulmin, Esq... GAME TRESPASS AT WHEATHAMPSTEAD James Kempster [sic] was summoned for unlawfully trespassing on land, in the occupation of Colonel Ames, and with setting a snare thereon for the purpose of taking game, at Wheathampstead, on the 12th of November. Mr. Day prosecuted. The defendant pleaded guilty. William Stonells was charged with a similar offence at the same time and place. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The Bench considered the case fully proved, and fined Stonnell £5 and 15s. 6d. costs, or three months in default. Kempster was fined in a similar amount and 11s. 3d. costs, or three months' hard labour in Hertford gaol in default.

Bedford Gaol Register, accessed 16 Jun 2012 Name: James Kempson When committed: 9 Sep 1873 Ref: 12838 Age: 22 Offence: Game Laws Committed by: Rev. H.B. Smyth, A.P. Welch Esq. Trial type: Summarily convicted Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol Sentence: 2 Calendar Months Hard Labour or £6.2.0 No. of previous convictions: 12 Previous conviction details: 6629, 9418 [sic - presumably should be 7418], 7653, 8132, 8422, 9852, 10177, 11034, 11208, 11544, 11666, 12406 Discharge date: 8 Nov 1873

Herts Advertiser, Saturday 2nd May 1874: TAKING TURNIP TOPS. James Kempson, sen., Park Lane, James Kempson, jun., and James Allen, labourers, were charged with stealing a quantity of turnip tops, the property of Thomas Taylor, farmer, Luton, on the 16th of April. The case having been proved, the Chairman said there were 14 previous convictions against James Kempson, jun. The present case was a slight one, and he would have to pay 10s. 6d.; the other two would have to pay 7s. 6d. Kempson, sen., did not appear.

Luton Times and Advertiser, Saturday 16th September 1876: LUTON PETTY SESSIONS. MONDAY LAST. Before Mr J.S. Crawley (in the chair), Mr H.J. Toulmin, and Mr G. Oakley... USING SNARES Levi Lines, Anthony Barford, and James Kempson, were charged with using a snare for taking game, at Luton, on September 7th... The foregoing game cases were adjourned to the next sessions.

Luton Times and Advertiser, Saturday 23rd September 1876: LUTON PETTY SESSIONS. MONDAY LAST. Before the Rev. H.B. Smyth, (chairman); and Mr G. Oakley. The following game case were [sic] adjourned from the previous session... NINETEEN TIMES CONVICTED. Levi Lines, Anthony Barford, and James Kempson, blockers, were charged with using a snare for the purpose of taking game at Luton, on Sept. 7. Lines and Barford did not appear, and Kempson pleaded guilty. Henry Smith, gamekeeper to Mrs Leigh, said he saw defendants setting snares, and when they saw hime they bolted. It was stated that Kempson had been convicted eighteen times previously for various offences. The Chairman remarked that defendant appeared to have as bad a character as a man could have, and therefore the full penalty of £5 and costs would be inflicted, or two months hard labour in default. Lines had also been convicted thirteen times, and he and Barford were fined £5 or two months hard labour.

Bedfordshire Herald [indexed on British Newspaper Archive as Luton Times and Advertiser], Friday 17th May 1878 LUTON DIVISIONAL PETTY SESSIONS. ONE EGG. James Kempson, Arthur Allen, and Eli Chew, of Luton, were charged with having a pheasant's egg in their possession which had been unlawfully taken at New Mill End, April 28. The were found on the road with one pheasant's egg. The Bench dismissed the case.

Luton Times and Advertiser, Friday 15th November 1878: LUTON DIVISIONAL PETTY SESSIONS... POACHING AT LUTON HOO. John Trueman and James Kempson were charged with using a gun to take game at Luton Hoo, October 28th. Trueman did not appear. Mr Shepherd prosecuted. Henry Plummer, of Slip End, said about 6.30a.m., when he was in the London-road, near the Park, he saw the two defendants. Trueman had a gun; he got over the rails, shot a pheasant in a tree, picked it up, and the two went away together. Police-constable Franklin said on the following Sunday the last witness pointed out Trueman to him as the man who shot the pheasant. John Waller, shepherd, Bailey Hill, said about 7.a.m., on October 28, he met defendants coming from the direction of Luton Hoo into the town. He had known Kempson about seven years. Defendant said he was an innocent man, and knew nothing about it. He had no witness as to that time of the morning. He hoped they should meet in heaven, and have it out clear. The Bench fined Trueman, who has been convicted about a score times, and had seven years' penal servitude for night poaching, £5 or two months' hard labour; and Kempson, who has also been often convicted , was fined 50s or a month. Defendant: Gentlemen, I'll do it like a man, I hope I shall meet you in heaven. Policeman: Come on, Jimmy; come on.

Luton Times and Advertiser, Friday 20th December 1878: LUTON DIVISIONAL PETTY SESSIONS. MONDAY. Before the Revs H.P. Smyth (in the chair) and C.R. Haslam... James Kempson, Luton, was brought up on a warrant charged with night poaching on Wednesday the 4th of December. Mr Ewen, of the firm Shepherd and Ewen appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Neve for the defence. George Philpott, labourer, deposed that on the night of the 4th December, after the Prince of Wales had been shooting at The Hoo, he was employed as a watcher in the Park. About 8.45 he heard a gun go off in the part known as Bull wood, and immediately ran in that direction. The night was a very bright one and he could see distinctly. On getting into the wood he saw two men, one of whom was the prisoner, who had a pheasant in his hand. He, the witness, was within 10 yards of him, and was certain that he was the man. The men then ran away, and the witness pursued the prisoner across Mr Clarke's farm and into Chase-street, where he lost sight of him. He had known the prisoner six or seven years, and was quite sure he was the man. George Wright said that between 8 and 9 o'clock on the evening of 4th December he was standing at his door in New Town-street, and saw the prisoner run past, and directly after Philpott came running up and said, 'Stop him.' He knew Kempston [sic], and so did not offer to stop him. Philpott said to him, 'Do you known Kempston [sic]?' and he said, 'Yes.' Defendant said that they must be mistaken, as he was at the house of a friend that evening, and called Joseph White, labourer, Foundry-lane, who deposed that on the night of Wednesday, the 4th December, the prisoner came to his house about 8 o'clock, and went out again at a quarter to 9. He looked at the clock, so was sure of the time. The clock was about right, for he heard the horn go when coming home that night, and noticed that his clock was about right when he arrived home. He (witness) did not go out again that evening, and went to bed about 10 o'clock. The boy, who is in the employ of Mr Bent, Chapel-street, was here sent for by the Bench. George White, aged 12, who cried on being placed in the witness box, in reply to questions put to him by the magistrates, said that on Wednesday, December 4th, on going home after leaving work at half-past 8 he thought he met his uncle (the prisoner) in Union-street, and when he got home at ten to 9 he told his mother of it, and his mother said, 'He has been here and has just left.' His uncle lived in Park-lane. He did not see his father when he came into the house. He was certain it was on Wednesday; he was sure of it because they always chopped sugar on that day. Mr Ewen asked that the policeman might be called, as he could speak to the getting up of the last evidence; but the Bench refused. The Bench said that the boy had given his evidence very straightforwardly, and there seemed a doubt in the matter, so they would discharge the prisoner and advised him to have nothing to do with poaching.

London Daily News, Monday 27th January 1879: [no headline, page 2] At the Hertford County Petty Sessions on Saturday John Truman and James Kempson, notorious offenders, were sent to St. Alban's Gaol for four months each, on a charge of trespassing in search of game on Lord Cowper's estate, and assaulting two keepers, in September last. Truman has been convicted 22 times, including a sentence of seven years' penal servitude, and Kempson 26 times. The majority of charges were for offences against the game laws. [Article reported almost verbatim in the Worcester Journal on Saturday 1st February 1879.]

Luton Times and Advertiser, Friday 10th December 1880: LUTON BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY. Beford the Mayor (J. Cotchin, Esq.), A.T. Webster, Esq., E.O. Williams, Esq, C. Mees, Esq., and J. Higgins, Esq... THIEVES IN A PUBLICHOUSE. James Kempson and Levi Lines, young man, were charged that being convicted thieves they refused to quit the licensed premises of William Stock, landlord of the Engine, Bute-street, about 8 p.m. on Dec. 4th. The landlord said he had to get the police to put them out; Police-constable Tompkins ejected Kempson, the other went out. Kempson had been before the Bench 26 times, and Lines 22. Kempson did the 'oratory' for defendants, and said his companion had never been convicted of felony, and propounded the question is poaching thieving. (Laughter.) The Mayor said that if they would try and reform the Bench would try and help them. They would only fine them for this offence 10s. each including costs. Kempson asked if he was to be 'hunted' by the police when he went into a public-house of a Saturday night for a pint of beer. The Mayor said he had better have his beer at home. Mr. Phillips reminded him that being in a public-house he endangered the landlord's license. The defendants were allowed a week to pay in.

Bucks Herald, Saturday 27th May 1882: IVINGHOE. PETTY SESSION, SATURDAY MAY 20. GAME TRESPASS. - Levi Janes and James Kempson, labourers, of Luton, against whom twenty-seven and twenty-three former convictions were recorded respectively, and who did not appear, were charged with having trespassed in search of game on land belonging to Earl Brownlow, at Ivinghoe, on the 4th of May. - The men had been in company with a man named Richard Hale, who was convicted of a similar offence, and fined £3 and costs, at the Linslade Police-court on the 8th of May. - The present defendants were each fined £2 and 13s. 6d. costs.

Bucks Herald, Saturday 24th December 1887: IVINGHOE. PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY, DEC. 17. - Present: S.W. Jenney, Esq. (chairman), and J.G. Williams, Esq. - Henry Gray, James Kempson, Levi Lines, and George Taylor, all of Luton, were charged with using snares to take game and with damaging underwood, at Edlesborough, on Nov. 20th. - Neither of the defendants appeared. - The case was proved by Arthur King and George Oakins, keepers to Earl Brownlow. - For the first offence defendants were fined £2, and 10s. costs each, or one month, and for the second £1: 1 each, or three weeks.

Herts & Cambs Reporter & Royston Crow, Friday 30th March 1888: Petty Sessions. TUESDAY LAST, MARCH 27TH... James Kempson, Robert Watkins and James Brewer, of Luton, were charged with using snares for the purpose of taking game, on land belonging to G. Oakley, Esq., who retired from the Bench when the case was called. The defendants did not appear, but the wives of two of them appeared and said their husbands were at work. Mr. H. Barker, solicitor, of Hitchin, appeared to prosecute. Service of summons was proved and a warrant was issued for the apprehension of the three defendants.

Hertfordshire Mercury, Saturday 7th April 1888: KING'S WALDEN - POACHING. At the Hitchin Petty Session, on Tuesday, James Kempson and James Brewer, labourers, of Luton, were charged with unlawfully using snares for the purpose of killing game at Kingswalden on March 18th - Kempson admitted the offence; Brewer denied it. Mr Barker, solicitor, Hitchin, prosecuted. George Groom, a gamekeeper in the employment of Mr. George Oakley, said he saw the accused and another man go in the direction of Whipstock Wood, Kingswalden, on March 18th. Noah Smith, another gamekeeper, said he saw the two men in the wood, and found twenty-one snares set for pheasants. He did not speak to them "because they did not stop long enough for that." The right of shooting over the wood belonged to Mr. Oakley. Brewer said he never went into the wood. It appeared that Kempson had been charged thirty-four times, and Brewer ten times with various offences. Each of them was fined £5 and costs, or in default a month's imprisonment. Kempson's wife asked to be allowed a fortnight for the payment of the fine, saying she had £4 of it in hand. The Magistrates refused to grant the application.

Northampton Mercury, Friday 18th November 1892 BEDFORDSHIRE ASSIZES JAMES KEMPSTON [sic] and FREDERICK CONQUEST, labourers, were charged with night poaching, being armed with stones, on land occupied by George Oakley, at Stopsley, on September 5th.- Prisoner and two other men were seen in a field, dragging a net, at midnight, and when chased by four keepers, threw stones at them. Conquest was caught, and two other keepers swore to Kempston.- Both were found guilty, and sentenced to Six Months' Hard Labour each.

Northampton Mercury, Friday 8th February 1895: THE BEDFORDSHIRE ASSIZES. On Monday the Assizes for the county opened before Mr. Justice Hawkins, who congratulated the county on its absence from serious crime, there being only seven prisoners for trial... James Kempson (46), Levi Lines (44), and Edward Thrussell (31), all labourers, were indicted for night poaching and assaulting William Neal, in Madame de Falbe's Park at Luton Hoo, on November 5th. The keeper, Neal, was by himself, and was walking along the wood side in the park soon after midnight, when he came across a long net pegged up. He imitated the squeal of a rabbit, upon which Kempson came running up. When asked what he was doing there, Kempson shouted, "Club up, mates; there's only one." On that Lines and Thrussell ran up, and all threw stones at the keeper. They rushed for the net, but the keeper cut it in two, and they left one part there, while the other part was taken away by Neal. Next morning the other part of the net was found by another keeper, besides several large stones which had been thrown at Neal.- The defence was an alibi, and three men named Albert Allen, George Wright, and Henry Barton, all of Luton, swore that they were the men concerned. There was some disparity in their evidence, however, and in places it differed from that which they gave before the magistrates; and Barton said he threw a stone at Neal.- Neal was re-called, and he said he knew all six men well, a year or more, and he was certain the three men in the dock were the men he saw in the park that night.- The jury found the prisoners guilty; and his Lordship read out a long list of previous convictions against each.- Judgement was reserved.

Luton Times and Advertiser, Friday 16th June 1899 A VETERAN POACHER. - At Hitchin Sessions on Tuesday, last week, James Kempson, labourer, Luton, was charged under the Poaching Prevention Act with being in possession of 8 pheasant's eggs and 13 partridge's eggs, which had been unlawfully obtained; and Robert Elsom, also a labourer at Luton, who did not appear, had been summoned for aiding and abetting Kempson. Mr. George Passingham, solicitor, prosecuted on behalf of the Fields Sports Association. - Police-constable Field said that on the evening of May 31st, he saw the defendants searching the hedges at Kingswalden, and stopped them. He found the eggs in Kempson's pocket. They had been seen searching the hedges in that neighbourhood earlier in the day, but when he stopped them no eggs were found in their possession. - Kempson pleaded guilty, and said he hoped the Bench would deal with him as leniently as they could. A list of previous convictions, over fifty in number, against Kempson was handed in. Against Elsom there were several previous convictions. Kempson was fined £5, including costs, or in default, a month's imprisonment. Kempson asked for time to pay, saying he could pay £3 down, but the Magistrates refused the application.

Luton Times and Advertiser, Friday 31 May 1901

Luton Divisional Sessions.

TUESDAY, MAY 28.

WHAT WERE THE EGGS?

SOME OLD OFFENDERS AT THE GAME.

HENRY BROWN, 39, labourer of Luton, was summoned for having 15 pheasant's eggs in his possession at Stopsley, on May 3rd.

ROBERT ELSTON, 30, JAMES KEMPSON, 55, and ERNEST KEMPSON, 22, labourers of Luton, were summoned for being accessories to the offence.

P.c. Lowe said that at 4.30 p.m. he was on duty at Nether Crawley where he saw the four defendants walking along the road. He stopped them and searched them, and in the coat pocket of Brown he found a quantity of smashed pheasant's eggs. He took them out of the coat and placed them by the side of the road. James Kempson then immediately jumped upon them and rubbed them into the ground with his boot, while the other defendants exclaimed, "smash 'em." In defedant's other pocket was a dead rabbit.

Brown: How do you arrive at the conclusion that there were 15 eggs? - Owing to the quantity of stuff there was in your pocket.

How could you tell what sort of eggs they were? - They were pheasants' eggs.

How do you know? - I saw what I took out of your pockets.

Have you ever seen any guinea chick's eggs? - They are not like pheasants' eggs.

How do you know? - I saw what I took out of your pockets.

Have you ever seen any guinea chick's eggs? - They are not like pheasants' eggs.

How did they get broken? - You put your hand in your pocket and smashed them.

Witness, in reply to further questions denied that a gamekeeper named Ward seized brown by the throat and threw him to the ground, thereby smashing the eggs.

William Walker, gamekeeper, said that he was with the last witness when they met the defendants. He saw Lowe search Brown and take a quantity of yolk and shell out of his pocket. Kempson then rubbed his foot upon the matter, and smashed the shells to pieces.

The Clerk: What were the eggs? - Pheasants' eggs.

Brown: Were you with the policeman or was the policeman with you? (Laughter). Well, were you accompanying the policeman, or was the policeman accompanying you? (renewed laughter).

The Clerk: That's a silly question.

Brown: It might be silly, but I'm trying to get at the truth. Did I wilfully break the eggs, or did your man throw me on the bank?

Witness: I saw no throwing at all.

You are on your oath? - It doesn't affect me in the slightest.

I want you to speak the truth? - I am speaking the truth.

Why didn't you ask Ward to come and give evidence? - It's quite possible for him to come now.

What sort of rabbit was it? - It was a wild brown rabbit, with a white tail (laughter).

Defendant: What was it, policeman?

P.c. Lowe: It was a rabbit, I suppose. A rabbit is a rabbit (laughter).

Robert Watson stated that he saw the four defendants together in the morning and also in the afternoon.

There were 9 previous convictions against Brown, 11 against Elston, 57 against James Kempson, and 11 against Ernest Kempson.

Brown was fined £3 or one month, and the others, 40s. and the costs or a month.

The Cleark: Are you going to pay?

Brown: I should not pay it it were only three ha'pence.

James Kempson: Nor if it was tuppence.

As the prisoners were being taken to the cells, Ernest Kempson expressed the hope that the authorities would provide them with a bus to removed them to the railway station, "because," he added, "we shan't walk."

Luton Times and Advertiser, Friday 18 October 1901:

LUTON DIVISIONAL SESSIONS.

MONDAY, OCT. 14.

GAMEKEEPERS v. POACHERS.

A MIDNIGHT AFFRAY.

ROBERT ELSTON, 31, and JAMES KEMPSON, 55, both labourers, of Luton, were charged with night poaching on enclosed land at Hyde on Oct. 7th, for the purpose of taking game, armed with an offensive weapon.

Arthur Bell, gamekeeper on the Hoo Estate, said he was on duty at Fennel's Wood about a quarter of an hour before midnight, when he saw 4 men quietly laying down a net of 100 yards in length immediately outside the wood. On hearing witness approach Kempson said to his companions, "Hush, pull up."

Witness was then struck on the head with a stone that was thrown either by Kempson or Elston.

The stone, which was half the size of a loaf with jagged edges, was produced in Court.

Witness said that the force of the blow cut through his cap, lacerated his temple, and rendered him momentarily insensible. He instantly recovered, seized Kempson and threw him to the ground, and said to him, "It's you, is it, Jim?" He replied "I ain't Jim, you're wrong this time." Witness then whistled for assistance.

Kempson: You are a false, deceitful man. A stone like that would have knocked your brains out. Didn't you knock me about with a stick? - Yes, I did so in self-defence.

Elston denied that he was in the wood at the time.

William Matthews, another gamekeeper, spoke to hearing a whistle and seeing a man run away. Bell's head was bleeding.

Elston's mother went into the box and alleged that her son went to bed at half-past eight on the evening in question, and remained in bed until 7 o'clock the following morning.

William Elston, prisoner's brother, corroborated, and stated that the prisoner slept with him all night.

Both prisoners were committed for trial at the Assizes.

Northampton Mercury, Friday 22nd November 1901: BEDFORDSHIRE ASSIZES ...At the adjourned sitting of this Court on Tuesday, James Kempston [sic], 56, and Robert Elston, labourers, were indicted, together with two other persons not in custody, on a charge of night poaching, at Luton Hoo Estate, being armed with a stone, on October 7th.- They were discharged.