A door-to-door salesman dad has found himself on the sharp end of justice – Victorian-era style.
James Dillon, 25, was collared selling his wares to a householder in Sunderland on Friday, May 14 this year.
It led to his prosecution under legislation which entered the statute book exactly 150 years ago, a court heard.
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard Section 4 of the Pedlars Act 1871 makes it an offence to sell on the doorstep without the correct certificate.
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Dillon, of Slatersgill Avenue, Saltersgill, Middlesborough, pleaded guilty to plying his trade without a licence.
He also admitted possession of cocaine, which was found on him when police searched after his arrest.
Prosecutor Becky Slade said: “Police attended Weymouth Drive in Sunderland after a report of someone going door-to-door selling goods.
“A witness was at home when the defendant knocked with a large bag and saying that he had fallen on hard times.
“An officer arrived and saw that the defendant had several household items in a rucksack.
“He was taken to South Shields police station, where a quantity of a white powder which tested as cocaine, was found on him.”
Defending himself, Dillon said his pedlar’s licence had been revoked by police.
He added: “I’ve got two children at home and that’s why I go door-to-door, to support my children.
“My goods are not stolen. I’ve fallen on hard times since the pandemic.
“I did have a licence but when the force constable changed, my licence was removed, and I wasn’t accepted for one due to my convictions.
“I don’t understand why. I’m not a threat to people and I’m always polite.”
Of the cocaine, he said: “It was only £20 worth.”
Magistrates fined Dillon £80 for possession of the class A drug, with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
They gave him a six-month conditional discharge for acting as a pedlar without a certificate.
