Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 07 February 1902
Theft of Boots At Mexborough.
John Smith, aged 16, a pony driver, of Bradford, was charged in custody with stealing two pairs of boots, the property of Jonathan Whitaker, of Mexborough on the 23rd January.
Samuel Rounds said he was pony driver, and lived at 30, Belmont Street, Mexborough and on Thursday morning, the 23rd last month, he was in company with the prisoner in Main Street, Mexborough, near to Mr Whittaker’s pawnshop.
When they got near to Mr Whittaker’s shop, the prisoner stopped, but witness walked on. When prisoner did not come he shouted to him and asked him if he was coming, and he replied that he was not going any further.
Witness went back to him. When they got a bit further down the street, the prisoner said “Keep still, I am going to sneak a pair of boots.” Witness saw him take the boots (produced), taking them off the rack in front of the pawnshop. He put them under his jacket, went home, taking the boots with him. After being in the house a short time, they came out, and prisoner told witness to take them to Britain’s pawnshop. He told him to ask 3/– on the boots. Witness took them, and prisoner told him to tell them that the boots were Mrs Johnson’s Swinton Road, Mexborough, and that his name was William Johnson. The pawnbroker refused to take the boots in.
Inspector Watson stated that on Monday last, he received the prisoner into custody from the Bradford West Riding police. He charged him with the theft of the boots. He replied “Yes, I took them.”
Prisoner’s father said his son ran away from home some months ago, and had written stating that he was working at a colliery, and he thought that he was going on all right.
After being charged, the prisoner pleaded “guilty.”
Prisoner stated that he wanted some money to take him home.
Prisoner was dealt with under the first offenders act and bound over in the sum of 5 pounds to come up for judgement when called upon.