Theft of Rabbits by Conisborough Miners.

At the Doncaster West Riding police Court on Tuesday two colliers named William Middleton and William Ernest Stockes, were charged with the theft of three rabbits, the property of John Grindall, labourer of Stainton, on Saturday night.

Grindall valued them at 5s and said he had left them safe in his rabbit hutch at Stainton.

Patrick McDonald, a collier living at 55 Welbeck Street, New Conisborough said he was in his garden on Saturday morning about 11 o’clock, when Middleton came up to him and offered him three rabbits which he said he had bought whilst drunk on Saturday night. Subsequently he gave Middleton and Stocks 2/6 for the rabbits.

The sergeant stationed at Conisborough having giving evidence of arrest, Stocks pleaded guilty, and Middleton admitted that he had sold the rabbits, but had not taken them. The latter added it was his first offence, and it should be the last. Stocks said they were in beer, and he could not have said where he had got the rabbits had he been asked on Sunday morning.

Penalties of 30s including costs were imposed.