James Scutts ca 1856-1931

[Western Daily Press Sat 08 Feb 1879 Henry Sly and James Scutts labourers, of Brinkworth, were unlawfully trespassing in pursuit of a ????? on the 29th of January, on lands at Hankerton, the property of John Coles. There was another summons charging them with trespassing, on the same day on lands belonging to Colonel Keene. The bench decided to take both cases together. Worthy Moody, gamekeeper, of Brinkworth, "deposed to seeing the defendants in a field called Hankerton, Parleaze. He watched them cross the field and get over the hedge into Colonel Keene's plantation, where they stayed quarter of an hour kicking the turf about. He watched them come out but did not see anything in their hands. He then got onto Cole's land, and the defendants came over within 10 yards of where he was concealed. He watched them beat Coles plantation for about ten minutes, and afterwards watched them over other parts Coles' land. Sly came up to where witness was concealed in a ditch. He then had a gun in his hand. Defendants went back round Holborn House and he heard a gun fired in that direction. The defendants did not see him at all. After they fired the gun, they came near him, and he heard Sly say, " I did'nt kill him.", Scutts replied, "No, you were just like I was with the hen pheasant". The defendants pleaded guilty, but could not understand what business the keeper had on another man's land watching them. Two similar convictions were proved Sapt. Luffman against Scutts, and one against Sly. The bench fined the defendants 10s and 8s costs in each case, total $1 16s each. Allen Scutts (sic) and James Scutts the defendant the last case, were charged with unlawfully trespassing pursuit of game, Park Copse Charlton the property of Lord Suffolk, (who retired during the hearing case.), on the 24th Jan. James Scutts pleaded guilty and Allen not guilty. David Dodson, gamekeeper to his lordship, proved seeing the two men the copse the day named, with another man whom he did not know. Allen was standing at the cross rides. The man unknown was coming down the ride and James Scutts was beating the wood. Allen Scutts had a gun, and they all ran away when he spoke to them. Allen Scutts swore he never set his foot his lordship's land, and called Frank Quarrell who was the "unknown man" in the wood, to 'prove his innocence. 'Quarrell admitted that was the man who was walking the ride, with his hands his pockets. He saw the keeper the wood, but Allen Scutts was nowhere near the spot. He said the keeper had sworn to the wrong man; they could summon him if they thought proper. Quarrell admitted that had been brought before the bench on a previous occasion, but said he was innocent. The bench fined Allen Scutts 1Pound and 11s. costs, and James Scutts 10s and 11s 6d costs.] [Census 1871 Wiltshire-81 Gloucestershire.] [J S - 74yr.]