Skegness Magazine

ALARMING EXPERIENCE
EQUINE OBSTACLE IN THE DARK

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The nocturnal meanderings of two Skegness horses which led to an alarming experience for a cyclist were referred to at Skegness yesterday when Joseph Rollitt, pig keeper, Skegness, and Ernest Grunnill, labourer, Skegness, was summoned for allowing their respective horses to stray at Skegness on Christmas Eve.

Percy W. Pettitt, a Wainfleet labourer, stated that at 8.10 p.m. he was cycling towards Skegness. It was very dark but he had lights. Between Queen’s Road and Burlington Road he heard something coming towards him. There was a scamper of horses’ hooves and a horse came right across the front wheel.

He went head on into its body and fell off.

Witness bruised his arm and cut his knee.
He added “I picked myself up and followed the horse, which was snorting in an excited condition. I then noticed it was Rollitt’s horse.
About 5 yards further on I saw the other horse and I followed them down Queen’s Road where they went in a field and started grazing.

P.c. Pollard said Rollitt told him he had promised to pay the damages. He left the horse fastened up correctly in a well-fenced field, but there was only a pole across the gateway and no gate.

Grunnill said he had his horse chained to a crowbar in the field. He admitted it was loose in the morning but did not know who had let it loose.

The Superintendent said the owner was liable. There was nothing to show what the defendants had said was incorrect and they did not press for a heavy penalty, but they were considered cases which should be brought.
Rollitt said someone had disturbed the pole on the gate.
The Chairman said he was not surprised horses strayed when they were interfered with.
Defendants would only be fined 2s. 6d. each and 3s costs each.

Source: Skegness News 1942

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