Is a coconut dangerous? This was the question faced by Boston magistrates when an over-eager policeman charged a docker for throwing one across a street. Perhaps he had wanted the nut for himself? In any case, at the start of the second world war, this must have been a slow news day!
FOOLISH INCIDENT AT BOSTON
NUT WAS NOT CAUGHT
One man asked for a coconut, another threw one across the road and the result was police court proceedings.
The case was heard at the Boston borough petty sessions on Friday, before Dr. R. E. E. South and other magistrates when Cyril Dawson, of Fountain-Lane, Boston, a dock labourer, was summoned for throwing a coconut in Wide-bargate, Boston to the danger of persons or animals or damage to property, on 20 August.
The defendant denied the offence.
The evidence of P.S. Hodson was to the effect that he was in Wide-bargate when he saw defendant throw a coconut across the road. It fell about 20 yards away and smashed to pieces.
COULD NOT CATCH
Dawson had nothing to say but called a witness, Curil Betts, 13, Kyme-road, Boston, who said he saw the defendant the other side of the road with two coconuts in his hand. Witness shouted asking the defendant to give him one of the nuts and the defendant threw one. Witness, however, could not catch it.
The magistrates’ clerk informed the defendant that the magistrates were inclined to take a lenient view of the circumstances. Was he prepared to pay the costs, 4s.
Defendant expressed his willingness and the magistrates dismissed the case.
The Stamford Mercury, 8th September, 1939.