OLD PICTURES: Bridport man jailed for three months

On July 8 1881, a Bridport man appeared in court and eventually found himself in prison for three months.

Alfred Hawker's court appearance was an arrears in bastardy charge - and here are some old pictures of Bridport and the surrounding areas in the 1880s and 1900s to illustrate it.

South Street in the early 1900s

On Saturday, at the County Petty Sessions at Dorchester, Alfred Hawker, machinist of Folly Mills, Bridport, appeared on remand, charged with non-compliance with an order in affiliation, granted against him at a former sitting of the magistrates, at the instance of Annie Elizabeth Burch.

East Bridge looking towards old East Road Station Early 1900s. The Bridge built by J and T Gale in 1784 Picture: Bridport Museum

After the order was served on the defendant, he was arrested on a warrant on the 22nd of June by Sergeant Hazzard, for refusing to obey it, and handed over to the custody of Supt. Gale at Dorchester on the following day.

An outing in the 1880s Picture: BRIDPORT MUSEUM COLLECTION

The arrears and costs then amounted to £7. 7s. 6d. Defendant was then brought before a county magistrate, and remanded in custody till Saturday, June 25th, when the Bench enquired more fully into the matter, defendant being charged with disobeying the order. On an application of defendant's solicitor, Mr Day, the case was again remanded for a week, the defendant being admitted to bail.

West Road towards Symondsbury and 'Hope Cottage'

Last Saturday, July 2nd, the matter again came before the magistrates, when Mr Howard, of Weymouth, appeared to represent the complainant, who stated that after the order was made on the defendant he had arranged to marry her, but had since withdrawn his offer.

He told her he was in partnership with his father, an engineer and millwright at Bridport. She had received nothing under the order.

The magistrates ordered the defendant to be imprisoned for three calendar months.