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On This Day in Wembury — 5 November 1945

Rick Fires at Wembury, Charge of Arson. On Guy Fawkes Night two straw ricks were destroyed by fire at Train Farm and Folcham Field, Wembury. One, belonging to Mr F C Rowland of Train Farm, was about 12 tons of oaten straw worth £50. The other, belonging to Mr B R Clifton of Folcham, was three and a half tons of barley straw valued at £14. Fire crews could not save them because of lack of water. Norman Roy Booth, 23, market gardener of 1 Watergate Cottages, Wembury, was later charged with arson and allegedly confessed to setting the fires.

At the time rick burning was seen as a very serious crime. Straw and hay ricks were essential winter fodder, and destroying them could threaten livestock and cause heavy financial loss. The association with Guy Fawkes Night added to alarm as fire risk was already high. The damage, worth over £60, was a major blow in 1945 when farming was under tight control and shortages remained. Arson was treated as reckless endangerment since flames could spread to barns or cottages. The case was committed to the Devon Assizes, the senior criminal court, reflecting how grave the charge was.

At the Devon Assizes in April 1946 the outcome was recorded. Booth was described as having a mental age of ten. He was bound over for two years on condition that he abstained from drink and resided with his uncle as guardian. The court concluded he was a "mental defective" (sic) and required supervision rather than imprisonment.

Sources Western Morning News, 15 January 1946 and 4 April 1946