Hertfordshire's courts deal with thousands of cases every year, and it was no different back in the early 1900s.

Some of these cases seem bizarre now, so here are seven historic Hitchin crimes that you won't believe actually happened.

1. Brussel sprout dispute

1918 saw one strange court case.

Joseph Allison claimed that a local jobbing gardener named Cowley had not only overcharged him for his work, but also damaged his Brussels sprouts and a strawberry bed.

Cowley denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he had pulled up some old greens and given them to a lady for her chickens, as per Mr Allison's orders.

The judge at Hitchin County Court did not agree, awarding Mr Allison one farthing in damages.

2. What sausages

In late 1914, William and George Pateman, aged 12 and 9, of Gascoigne's Yard, Hitchin, went on quite the stealing spree.

Having stolen several items from Hitchin Steam Laundry, the night after they broke into Herts and Beds Bacon Factory, stealing a quantity of sausages, pork pies, and sausage rolls before escaping through a window.

They also broke into a shed in Offley Road and stolen four tame rabbits, which they killed and skinned before cooking them in an old tin can, together with some onions and carrots.

They were eventually caught attempting to steal from Messrs Grimbley, Hughes and Co. in Market Place, with police finding them hiding inside some barrels.

The judge acknowledged the humour of their spree, but issued both boys with 12 months probation.

3. Horsing around

William Manning, a 16-year-old labourer pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking into St Mark's Church, Hitchin, with intent to commit a felony on September 22, 1918.

Manning had committed plenty of crimes before, being placed on probation for stealing three shillings from a gas meter in July 1914, and then stealing two bicycles, for which he was sent to Handsworth Industrial School for three years.

He was remanded to Hitchin Workhouse and, whilst there, he absconded and stole a pony which he rode to Barnet, where he was arrested.

For his breaking and entry at the church, he would be sent to a borstal three years. 

4. Noise complaints

We've probably all had problems with noises neighbours, but they probably weren't a Salvation Army Band.

At Hitchin Petty Session in early 1906, the court heard that William Disbrey, a railway signalman, took Ernest Crawley, George Cowing, William Cawcutt, and John Reuben Newman in front of a judge for playing musical instruments on the highway within a hundred yards of a dwelling-house after being asked to go away.

Mr Disbrey confronted Crawley, telling him: "I have got a sick person in my house, and you are making yourself a nuisance."

Crawley told him the band would not be moving, and at the court they were fined three shillings each, which they refused to pay, and distress warrants were issued.

5. Red card

Ah football, the beautiful game, but not in the eyes of the law.

On April 23, 1907, three boys named Arthur, Albert and Alfred were charge with playing football in the street in Hitchin.

That's a red card.

6. Bucket's bucket woes

In the summer of 1931, Paddy Bucket, 37, was charged on remand with being drunk and incapable at Hitchin.

Bucket was having quite the evening, drinking with friends who had won money on the Derby. An officer found him lying in the road and carted him off to the station.

When he was put in a cell for the night, he kicked up quite the fuss.

Officers were alerted by banging and a smashing sound, and when they went to check on Bucket, he had smashed the cell light and was threatening officers with a bucket, which he damaged.

Although he apologised for his cell antics, Bucket was sentenced to 14 days in prison.

7. Egg on their face

Bernard Norgan, Arthur Winch, and Horace Kitchener, all labourers from Hitchin, were each fined 5 shillings for being in possession of game eggs and a catapult when searched under the Poaching Prevention Act.