1. The Pinkett Bicycle
Brighton & Hove Gazette, 28th June 1902
[edit | edit source]Clifftop Capture of Bicycle Ruffian
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[edit | edit source]On Monday 23rd, curious events unfolded when a robbery was attempted in Ovingdean.
Upon arriving in Brighton from London, two gentlemen and a lady engaged the cab of Alfred Packer (43), Kemp Street, to convey them to Aldingbourne Grange Farm, an acquaintance of theirs having taken a cottage there. It was the observation of Mr. Packer that they desired more than usual haste of him in performing his services, but at first he ascribed this to city ways and perhaps those of Americans, for the lady's speech betrayed her origins.
However, at Grange Farm Cottages it emerged their urgency had greater cause than immediately apparent. Leaping from the cab, the Londoners were dismayed to discover the front door ajar, and the lessee of the cottage, a Mr. Bartholomew Pinkett, knocked senseless upon the ground. At the instant of discovery, some slight disturbance was detected outside the cottage and a bicyclist was observed to be making off at speed along Greenways.
It being quite evident that skulduggery had taken place, Mr. Packer was more than willing to assist his passengers in pursuit of the fleeing ruffian, who had been so eager to depart the scene that he had perforce abandoned his cane, a heavily weighted example that had obviously been used in the assault.
Being freshly on shift, Mr. Packer's horse Clara made good speed and the robber's early lead was quickly closed. No doubt this was assisted by the bicycle being of an unusual design, which may have hampered the fugitive. Nonetheless, the cliff edge was close by the time the gap was fully diminished, and Mr. Packer felt it necessary to rein Clara in to avert tragedy for all.
The proximity of this peril seemed to hold no fears for the demonic cyclist. He slowed not a whit and made directly for the cliff edge as if determined to do away with himself. The London passengers disembarked apace and one, pursuing him pell-mell afoot, was fortunate to intercept him before the cliff-edge was attained.
At this Mr. Packer was most astonished to observe the bicycle, unfolding itself in a peculiar manner, wobble off the cliff, bearing the struggling combatants aloft and through a short aerial curve before alighting once more on terra firma close to the point where it departed. Anticipating the return of the marvellous bicycle, the other passengers came to the assistance of their comrade. Mr. Pinkett's assailant was swiftly subdued, and after ascertaining that no permanent harm had befallen Mr. Pinkett, he was submitted to the custody of the police.
The miscreant, a faux swell by the name of Granville Chickering, was already known to the police and now awaits prosecution for his misdeeds. Mr. Pinkett and the Londoners, having departed the scene, could not be contacted for comment.