Great excitement was caused in Wellingborough-road, Rushden, on Saturday night about nine o’clock, when a large motor-charabanc (having seven rows of seats) was seen coming from Windmill-road into Wellingborough-road towards the Oakley in a rather erratic manner. Mr. J. Greaves, who was on the pavement at the top of Pemberton-street, says he was only just missed by the charabanc as it came over to the right of the road. It also, it is said, “just shaved” the lamp-post at the top of the street. The vehicle mounted the pavement and crashed into the low wall and iron railings, and the front wheels went down into the flower garden (about two feet below the level of the pavement) in front of Mr. M. Elliott’s house 188, Wellingborough-road, coming to a standstill within a few inches of the front of the house. The railings on each side and in front of the house were completely demolished.

  The charabanc was conveying a team of cribbage players home to Monks Park Working Men’s Club, Northampton, from the Windmill Club, Rushden, and was driven by George William Coxhill Cadd, of 14, Salisbury-street, Northampton. None of the passengers was hurt, although one had to receive attention for shock.

  P. S. Lawrence and a constable were on the scene, and the driver was taken to the Rushden Police Station. Later he was charged with being drunk while in charge of a motor vehicle, and on Sunday morning he was let out on police bail until to-day’s Petty Sessions at Wellingborough.

To-day’s Proceedings

  This morning Cadd was charged on remand with being drunk in charge of a motor-charabanc at Rushden on May 2^nd. There was a further charge of driving the charabanc in a manner dangerous to the public at the same time and place.

  Major Simpson said he had received a letter from prisoner’s solicitors asking for an adjournment, and this was granted.

  Prisoner was again allowed bail.

Rushden Echo, 15^th May 1925

Magistrates’ Decision

  The Bench having decided to convict. Mr. Williams asked that the man be not sent to prison but the magistrates regarded the offence as very serious. Such offences were becoming far too common. In the magistrates’ opinion the man was not physically fit to drive. On the charge of being drunk he would be fined £2, on the second charge £8, costs £8 1s, and his licence to be suspended fore twelve months.