Boys and Cigarettes – Thefts from Automatic Machine

November 1909

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 23 November 1909

Boys and Cigarettes

Thefts from Automatic Machine

Two Conisborough lads, named William Bulcroft and James Craven, 10 and 13 years respectively, not only break the law in regard smoking, but have been most persistent in their efforts to obtain cigarettes. They were charged at Doncaster yesterday with stealing from an automatic machine at the Conisboro’ Station.

Some extraordinary evidence was given. When the machine was opened 202 pieces of tin were found inside, which represented a loss to the company of 16e. 30d. It was stated that the pieces of tin obtained from the bottoms of old condensed milk tins. The boys had been seen playing near the machine on many occasions, and had been repeatedly driven away.

Bulcroft, it was stated, had been 6 times before the magistrates for various offences, having been whipped, and also been placed under the Probation Officer. He has no mother and the magistrates decided to send him to an industrial school until he is 16 years of age, his father to pay 2s. 6d. a week towards his maintenance. Craven was ordered to receive six strokes with the birch rod.