The story of an early morning wedding was unfolded at the Clay Cross Petty Sessions on Wednesday, when Joseph Elliott, Butcher, of Clay Cross and Henry Hardy, Farmer of Shirland were summoned for furiously driving horses and traps on Doe Hill Lane, Tibshelf, on October 26th. Mr. A Slack, defended.
P.c. Mellor spoke to seeing the ponies going at 'a terrible speed' and the defendants seemed to be urging them on. One of them went onto the footpath , in an attempt to pass the other.
Later in the day he saw the defendants separately. Hardy said that his pony had run away, and Elliott said he was sorry.The Officer said to Elliott, " You were racing ?". and Elliott made no reply.
Henry Hall of Tibshelf, said that the horses were going at a furious rate when they passed his house. He saw one of the men, urge his horse on with a whip. Mr. Slack for the defence , explained that Hardy's brother Albert had been married that morning and they were going from Tibshelf to Doe Hill Station to go away for their honeymoon, but when proceeding down the hill the breeching broke and the tub in which they were riding caught the animals legs and caused it to bolt. Both Hardy and his brother got hold of the reins to try and pull it up.
Hardys bore out the statement on oath and said that the pony had been turned out of the pit, for running away. Elliott's pony was in front and he shouted to him to pull in, for him to pass and Elliott did so.
Elliott said that he pulled in out of the way when Hardy shouted, but as soon as Hardy's pony galloped past, his - Elliott's pony - which was a young one, started off after him. He admitted that he went onto the footpath, but that was to avoid a collision.
Albert Hardy, the bridegroom, said that when the pony bolted, his brother caught hold of one rein and he and his bride pulled on the other. They pulled up the pony as soon as they could. He would not risk the neck of his bride in pony racing on the morning of his wedding. (Laughter).
The Bench fined the defendants 5s.0d and 9s. 6p costs each.