1963 – June – Kenilworth Magistrates Court

Cannot Drive Until he is 92

For the next decade, 82 year-old David Deacon of Birches Lane will have to forego one of his main interests in his long life, driving. He was banned for that period by the court and in addition to his disqualification, the defendant was fined a total of £14 and had his licence endorsed.

Twelve months ago, Coventry Magistrates ordered him to pack-up motoring until he had passed a driving test. Because of that ruling, Mr Deacon continued his driving but only around his own driveway. But on May 15th his round-the-house enjoyment was threatened when the car was running low of petrol. Temptation to obtain a refill proved stronger than discretion and on to the road he went. On the way to the garage, only a mile away, he had a number of near misses. This resulted in him being charged with four offences. He pleaded quilty to driving in a manner dangerous to the public, driving a car unaccompanied by a competent driver, when the holder of only a provisional licence, not displaying L-plates and driving when disqualified.

Mr Deacon was not in court. He was represented by Mr David Sergeantson, who said; “This is not a case of a man driving dangerously along the road, in Coventry last year, Mr Deacon was disqualified until he took another test and that detered him”. Inspector Albert Cox said that as far as the police are concerned, the proceedings at court were not brought to impose a heavy fine but to determine whether or not Mr Deacon should continue to drive.

When Mr Deacon left home on May 15th to buy petrol, he travelled along Birches Lane at about 10 to 15 m.p.h, swerving from side to side. He was followed by two cars, the drivers of which were afraid to overtake him because of Deacon’s erratic ‘driving’. A little girl on a bike near to Thickthorn Close had to jump clear as Deacon’s car bore down on her. The car stalled in Moseley Road causing following vehicles to brake and stop. One of them tried to get round him but Deacon had, by then, re-started the car and started to moved off. This almost caused a collision.

The accused, the Inspector said, continued along Moseley Road intending to turn left into Thornby Avenue. As he approached the junction, a motor cycle was coming the other way. The passenger on the machine recognised Mr Deacon and warned the driver who slowed down to avoid a collision. Mr Sergeantson said that Mr Deacon first had a motor cycle in 1911 and had been driving cars for 40 years. Of the offences, he said that Mr Deacon was; “An old man, out on the road, who was not really aware of what he was doing”.

It was explained that for the dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified charges, a prison sentence could have been imposed. But, Mr. W. Maddocks, presiding, said; “We have decided not to send him to prison at his age but to disqualify him from driving for ten years, the fines are only nominal“.

1963 – July – Kenilworth Magistrates Court

Nabbed Slabs From Showground

Police Barely Caught Them

Priest Wasn’t Paying Enough Attention

Two Naughty Boys ‘Knocked Off’ Bicycles

Dream Rider

Arrested as They Rested

1963 – October – Kenilworth Magisrates Court

Helped Herself at the Self-Service Store

The court was told, that whilst shopping at the Fine Fare self-service supermarket in Warwick Road, a 58 year-old Kenilworth spinster stole a pound of butter and a packet of gammon. Housekeeper, Lilly Watts of Stoneleigh Ave, pleaded guilty to the thefts. Remarking about supermarkets, Inspector Albert Cox said: “These are places which display their goods to all and sundry and there is a temptation for people just to take stuff”.

He said that Watts was shopping in the supermarket on September 3rd and was putting several articules into a basket. But the manager saw her slip the butter and gammon into her own basket. He told the cashier about the incident. After paying for the goods in the store’s basket, the cashier asked if she had anything else on her. Watts said she had not. But when the manager approached her, Watts admitted the thefts. She was fined £2.

Cigs Cost Her Nearly £1 Each

At court, a 48 year-old Kenilworth woman alleged to be earning £9-a-week, stole 30 cigarettes from self-service supermarket, Fine Fare in Warwick Road. Winifred Ellen Bucknill of Mortimer Road, pleaded guilty to the theft.

Inspector Albert Cox said that Bucknill was shopping in the supermarket at around 12.45p.m. on October 8th. The store’s assistant manager saw her take the cigarettes and place them in a basket provided by the store. When she went to pay she did not declare them to the cashier. When the manager questioned her she said she had not taken them. But later, when the police were called, she admitted all.

The bench was told she had previous convictions of a similar nature. The court showed no sympathy and fined her a right packet – £25.

Not So Clever ‘Litter Lout’

Norman Parkinson of Coventry was not so clever as he ought to have been when he set out to dump a pile of junk which included, three tins cans, a pedal operated bin, cardboard boxes, paper, bricks, a cement bag, a car battery and a box of rubbish. The place he chose to convert into a wayside tip was a country lane, Cryfield Grange Road, which connects the Coventry Road to Crackley Lane.

To the defendant’s dismay, he was traced by the painstaking work of a policeman, who discovered amongst the junk a bit of paper bearing his name and address. Which proved very useful.

The magistrates dumped a fine of £5 on Mr. Parkinson for ‘depositing litter’.