On this day in south west Hertfordshire
A stone flew from a catapult fired on the Oxhey estate, shattering a pane of glass in a telephone kiosk, and cutting the face of a woman inside.
A boy told Watford Magistrates on Friday that he had been demonstrating the powers of the catapult and aiming it at a nearby tree, when the catapult misfired.
“We accept your explanation,” said Mrs A Wheelwright (chairman), “but I should give up catapults. They do a lot of damage in the town.”
The boy was discharged but ordered to pay 5s. costs.
[From the Watford Observer of May 9, 1952]
For more stories from the Watford Observer’s archive, go to our Nostalgia section by clicking HERE
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here