August 20, 1904

CHARLES Morris, of Priest Field Farm, Astwood Bank, was summoned for carrying a gun without a licence in the parish of Feckenham on the 21st July.

Mr Fletcher, supervisor, of Bromsgrove, appeared on behalf of the Inland Revenue Authorities.

Defendant said he had a gun lent to him and he did not think there would be any harm in trying it on his own ground.

Police Sergeant Haines stated that at 4.50pm he was on duty in a footpath leading from Hunt End to Astwood Bank and, hearing the report of a gun, he went in the direction of the sound.

He saw defendant with a double-barrel gun walking about his father's meadow.

Defendant said: "I have just shot at a rabbit but did not kill it. It got down a hole."

Witness asked him if he had a licence to carry the gun and he replied "No" and witness told him he should report him.

Ten minutes afterwards, he saw the defendant coming in the direction of him with a gun and two rabbits.

As soon as he saw witness, defendant dropped the rabbits and walked on.

Witness took hold of the rabbits, which had been recently killed and one of which defendant admitted shooting.

Defendant said he did shoot the rabbits. He had the gun lent to him for the purpose of killing vermin.

Fined 15s and costs 7s 6d.