Lads Summoned for Gleaning at Denaby

Samuel Woodhouse, Benjamin Woodhouse, Alfred Spence and Noah Wood, lads living at Denaby, had been summoned by Mr. James Braithwaite, farmer, Denaby, for stealing wheat from his field on the 21st August.

Police-constable Kendall stated that he caught the defendants in the prosecutor’s field with a good deal of wheat in their possession.

Mr. H. H. Hickmott, who defended, thought it was not the kind of offence which an officer should watch young lads commit, and then summons them for it. The official had an opportunity of preventing the lads from going into the field, but did not do so. Besides, the lads were not in the prosecutor’s field, but were on Mr. Parkin’s land, from whom they had obtained permission.

The case was dismissed.