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 five historic Watford crimes that you won't believe actually happened.

1. Field of fines

The First World War led to food shortages across the UK, with farmers asked to do their bit, but Lady Ela Russell, of Chorleywood House, was not having it one bit.

Under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, she was asked to cultivate a 21-acre field on her almost 80-acre plot of land, most of which was used for her dairy.

Despite the Hertfordshire War Agricultural Committee's offer of tools, horses and men, she refused to comply with the request, insisting that she would sell her cows and move to London if she was forced to do so.

Despite some in the court agreeing that her land was better used as a dairy to help combat a milk shortage, she was fined £100.

2. Food hoarding

In March 1918, Watford Police Court heard another case of wartime law breaking.

William Edward Allen was charged with food hoarding after enough tasty treats to feed an army were discovered at his home.

This included 134lbs of sugar, 352lbs of bacon, 56lbs of cocoa, 60lbs of biscuits, 425lbs of Quaker Oats, Scotch Porridge Oats and oatmeal, 297lbs of rice, 96lbs of pearl barley, 31lbs of macaroni, 41lbs of lentils, 32lbs of gelatine, 98lbs of Lyle’s syrup, 23 tins of condensed milk, 174 packets of turtle cup food, and 19 bottles of chicken essence.

Despite his argument that he was feeding a household of 12, the court took a dim view of his collection, fining Allen £350, ordering him to pay costs of £112, and confiscating most of the food.

3. Thanks for the jail time

This entry is not for the crime, but for the reaction.

In 1913, Watford Police Court sentenced a man named Gordon for an unknown crime and put him behind bars for three months.

His reaction was not what you'd expect, telling the court: "Thank you very much for your three months’ imprisonment, because it has converted me to the opinion that I have long held, that eight out of every ten criminals in this country are manufactured.  Will you grant me that?".

Upon leaving the Court, the man bowed and added: "Your kindness is worthy of my warmest thanks."

4. A car or a scarf?

In early 1931, Watford Police Court heard the case of Leonard Charles Foden, who had the choice of stealing a car or a scarf.

In the early hours of one morning, he broke into the garage of Canon R.V. G. Shaw in Hunton Bridge and slept in the back of a car.

When he awoke, he pushed the car into the road but couldn't get it to started due to the cold. Unable to take the vehicle, he snatched a scarf and made his escape.

He was eventually caught in Maidenhead and sentenced to a week in prison.

5. Whose round is it?

There's nothing better to hear in a pub than someone telling you 'I'll get this round'. That wasn't the case in 1916 though.

Under the Liquor Control Order, treating prohibited buying drinks for others to reduce alcohol consumption and maintain industrial output.

On November 4, 1916, a man entered the Coach and Horses Public House and proudly proclaimed that his brother, who was presumed dead, was actually alive and called for drinks all round to celebrate.

The glasses of everyone in the pub were refilled, but unfortunately for the punters inside, there were two undercover police officers among them, who quickly made their presence known.

At Watford Police Court, the landlord was fined £10, the barmaid who poured the drinks was ordered to pay £2, the man who paid for the drinks was fined £2, and the other defendants £1 each, with the exception of one, an old age pensioner, who was ordered to pay 5 shillings.