HE was so drunk he didn't know where he was going. But when Bill Buxey finally found he was on the wrong tram, he caused such a rumpus he had to be overpowered by other passengers after letting fly at the conductor. Eleven hours later after a night in the cells, the contrite and sober commercial traveller faced the prospect of prison and unemployment.

It was shortly before 11pm that Buxey stumbled his way onto the service, lurching to a seat in front of shocked and fearful passengers.

"Where are you going?" the conductor called Ross asked in relation to his fare. 

"Portswood," he slurred.

"Sorry, sir," Ross politely replied. "This service is for Shirley. I'll press the bell for the tram to stop and you can alight."

But Buxey flew into a rage, not only accusing Ross of short changing him but also bizarrely demanding the tram should be turned round and go to Portswood.

A second suggestion he should get off only served to further enrage Buxey who lashed out, pushing Ross to the floor and hitting him in the chest with such force he fell out of the tram. 

The male passengers swiftly came to his aid, grabbing hold of Buxey and ejecting him, but as the tram slowly moved away, he mounted it again, intent on once more attacking his perceived adversary but his punch missed its intended target and hit another man. The men then held him down until the tram reached its destination, and he was handed over to the police.

The following morning, September 25, 1880, a hung over and suitably respectably dressed Buxey sat slumped in the dock at the town's magistrates court as Ross recounted his irksome behaviour. "He was absolutely intoxicated. He was acting more like a madman."

Buxey apologised, accepting he must have been out of order but couldn't remember what he had done. 

Admitting charges of being drunk and disorderly and assault, he confessed: "I had been riding a bike with some friends and had a drop too much. I am very sorry for what occurred but I have no recollection of it."

However, the apology cut no ice with the chairman J H Cooksey who scorned: "That is no excuse for your blackguardly behaviour, especially your use of foul language in front of the two lady passengers."

Fellow magistrate Alfred Pegler asked Buxey about his job, warning him they were considering a sentence of imprisonment. 

"I work for some grocers and I can pay a fine," he replied, with the dock officer confirming he had the remarkably large sum of about £50 in his possession when arrested.

The Bench conferred for a few minutes before fining him £2 with costs or face 21 days in jail in default of payment.

The case ended with the corporation's solicitor, Mr Bell, thanking the passengers who had gone to Ross's assistance and were present in court. Cooksey endorsed his remarks on behalf of his colleagues.