Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 14 April 1933

Police Court News.

Caught Loitering

Swinton Man’s Suspicious Conduct .

Alleged to have loitered in Hampden Road. Monday night, for the purpose of committing a felony, Percy Calladine, miner, Piccadilly, Swinton, appeared before the Doncaster county magistrates on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty.

P.c. Batterbee said that about 10 p.m. on Monday, he saw Calladine acting in a suspicious manner near the backs of houses in Hampden Road. Witness concealed himself and saw Calladine try to lift a cellar grate, and also attempt to open doors of several houses which were in darkness and had the appearance of being unoccupied.

Calladine moved on and witness followed. Calladine repeatedly tried doors. Ultimately witness approached Calladine in a passage. Calladine immediately moved into shadow—it was a moonlight night —whipped a piece of cloth out of his pocket and covered his face. When asked why he was acting suspiciously, Calladine replied, “I am looking for Alf. Jones, who has missed his bus.”

Witness arrested Calladine and took him to the local police station. When charged, he said, “You have to do something.”

Calladine: Officer, this is a plot and a pack of lies. I was making my way to Chaucer Road

To the magistrates, Calladine said he returned to work at Barnburgh colliery about 3.20 on Monday afternoon. After a meal he slept and then went into his garden, staying there until 8.30. His workmate, Alf. Jones of Mexborough had promised to give him some plants and he decided to come down to Mexborough for them. He was making his way to Chaucer Road when the constable arrested him. “I was going about my business. I am doing my best to go straight, but the police will not let me. I do not know what to do. If God was to strike me dead now, I never tried a cellar grate or a door that night.”

Inspector Redfern: “There have been several houses broken into recently in the Hampden Road district  and entry has been made by the cellar grates. Are you aware of that: – I am not.

The Inspector stated that Calladine had four convictions for stealing. At this point Calladine appealed for the ease to be adjourned so that he could bring witnesses as to his evidence of going to Chaucer Road.

The magistrates would not grant this and fined him £3, with 28 days in prison as the alternative.

Calladine: I will do their 28 days. I will do it on my head.

He was told that he could pay at the rate of five shillings a week.

Calladine: I shall not do it. Batterbee had better lookout. I’m going to get my revenge if it is the last thing I do in my life.