HORSING AROUND
Labourer drunk in charge of a horse is prosecuted with rarely-used Victorian law
People can still be prosecuted for being drunk in charge of cattle, a steam engine and a bicycle
A LABOURER drunk in charge of a horse has been prosecuted under a little-used Victorian law.
Stuart Evans was arrested outside a pub on Boxing Day.
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He was reported to police by a member of the public after riding his horse and cart up and down the road outside without lights.
A heavily intoxicated Evans, 33, was arrested after he argued with officers and refused to give them his name and address.
A court heard he was slurring his words and unsteady on his feet after an afternoon drinking session at the Halfway House in Runcorn, Cheshire.
Evans was charged under Section 12 of the Licensing Act of 1872 for being drunk in charge of a horse.
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Perpetrators used to face a 40 shillings fine or a month’s prison with hard labour if they failed to pay up.
Much of the law has been repealed but people can still be prosecuted for being drunk in charge of cattle, a steam engine and a bicycle.
Evans admitted the offence and possessing cannabis.
Warrington magistrates fined him £80 for the drugs with no separate penalty for being drunk in charge of a horse.
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He must also pay £117 in costs.
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