From the Evening News, April 27, 1992

UP to 50 private hire drivers were netted in a police crackdown on rogue drivers operating in Bolton.

A total of 25 people were arrested and a further 22 reported for various traffic offences as police raided four private hire firms. The bulk of them have been charged mainly with obtaining money by criminal deception.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 27, 1977

THE British land speed record for the flying mile set by the late Sir Malcolm Campbell 51 years ago, was broken today. Robert Horne, 33, joint chairman of Horne's, the London tailors, clocked an average 191.64 mph in his Ferrari 512M on the Concorde runway at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 27, 1952

IS a pig's head rationed meat - or rather pork - or not? That was the question debated at great length at Bolton Borough Court yesterday, during a Ministry of Food prosecution.

The man from the Ministry said it was on the ration, and he alleged that John Lawrence Banks, butcher, 336, Halliwell-rd., Bolton, obtained 20lb of pork, alias 14 pigs' heads, "otherwise than in accordance with a Ministry order."

Banks, who pleaded not guilty, said he regarded pigs' heads as unrationed meat. Not one of his customers would ever buy a pig's head on the ration.

Albert Hartley, a local committee member for the distribution of meat, when asked if pigs' heads were on the ration said "No", and added, "they are regarded as offal."

However, the magistrates decided the case had been proved, and "taking into account the whole of the circumstances" fined the defendant £5.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 26, 1902

JOHN Williams, a young labourer, residing at Back Bridge-st., has given the police endless trouble, and in the early hours of this morning he was smartly caught in the act of trying to force open the window of the Wine Lodge in Bradshawgate.

PC Brooks was in the vicinity in plain clothes shortly before three o'clock when his attention was attracted by a noise, and proceeding quietly in the direction of the Wine Lodge he saw Wiseman "working" the tap window and trying to force it open.

When the officer surprised him her had already strained the catch of the window to the extent of an inch and a half. Wiseman was escorted to the Police Station, and had nothing to say when charged with the offence. He was committed to gaol for a month with hard labour.