West London Observer - Saturday 08 April 1871
A Disputed Cab Fare. - Richard Donald, the broker of the Bramley Road, was summoned for 4s., a cab fare. George Rowland Bryant, a cab driver, of 7, Southbrook Street, Hammersmith, said that on the night of the 25th ult. he was passing by the Richmond Hotel, Brook Green Road, when the defendant hired him to take his brother to the hospital. He drove him and the defendant. He waited at the hospital about half an hour.
The defendant said he would appeal to the magistrate whether it would take half an hour to strap up a man's head.
Mr Ingam said he did know as he was not a doctor. (Laughter)
The witness further said that he afterwards took them to the police station, where he waited more than half an hour. The time altogether was 1 1/2 hours, the distance was three quarters of a mile.
The defendant said he resisted payment on public grounds as is was a case of attempted extortion.
He called Frederick Donald, who denied that the cabman waited the time, but said he did not look at a clock.
Mr Ingham said that the cabman spoke very precise as to the time. He ordered the defendant to pay 4s and 5s costs.
The defendant asked for time to pay the money, but the magistrate told him to pay it at once.
The money was then paid.
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It was in front of the same magistrate too. Richard was often in trouble with the law, in one article it describes him as the 'notorious' broker of Bramley Road, I wouldn't put it past him to make up a name for the 'brother'.
