A MAVERICK was clearly in town at Worcester this week exactly 250 years ago.

The Worcester Journal of 1752 explained: Last Sunday a person whose name is Morice was taken up in the High Street of this city on suspicion of being a highwayman. A large horse pistol, loaded, and a quantity of powder and ball were found upon him.

He came to the city the day before on horseback but was poorly mounted and indifferently dressed, and walked the streets with his pistol exposed. He was thereupon sent to gaol and, on Monday, was examined before the Right Worshipful the Mayor and the Worshipful Justices at our Town Hall.

The account he gave of himself was that he lived in Cardiganshire where he had an estate of upwards of £100 a year, and that the reason for going armed was for the security of the Title Deeds he had upon him which, he said, some persons had endeavoured to get from him.

A messenger was dispatched to Cardiganshire to enquire into the account he gave of himself which, appearing to be true, he was this morning set at liberty. It seems that some people there who know him, have sometimes considered him to be disordered in the mind.

However, the same Worcester Journal of 250 years ago did have a real armed robber to report.

On Saturday night last a man was stopped on the Old Hills by a footpad who clapt a pistol to the man's breast and demanded his money. The man gave him five shillings but, not contenting the footpad, offered another six shillings before the attacker ran off.