Mexborough and Swinton Times 30 December 1905
Charge of Theft from Denaby Pit.
Lenient View of the Case.
At the Doncaster W.R.. Police Court, on Thursday week, a New Conisborough filler, Ernest Henry Clayton, aged 18, of 26, Balby Street, was charged with stealing the waistcoat and muffler of a deputy named Bond on the 18th inst.
Mr Baddiley appeared for the prosecution and stated that only that morning this youth had been found employment at the Denaby colliery, but had to be ordered out of the pit because of his filthy and disgusting language.
After he had gone deputy Bond discovered the garments before mentioned were missing, and on giving information to the police PC Clitheroe went to prisoner’s home, where he found him asleep on the sofa, wearing the waistcoat, the scarf also been found in the house.
The prosecution was taken because of the many thefts occurring down the mine.
Comlainant swore to the truth of the statements, and said the lad had no right to go where his (witnesses) waistcoat was, as there was a small fence and “no road” marked up.
For the defence, it was stated that there deputies and prisoners clothing were together and the deputy ordered Clayton out of the pit in a summary fashion that he took the wrong articles. Bond, however, denied that prisoner entered the pit wearing a waistcoat, whilst on the other hand prisoner called William Allen another filler, at the same address, who said that morning the prisoner burrowed his waistcoat and muffler to start working.
The chairman said there was nothing known against prisoner, and he would be bound over to come up for judgement when called upon under the first offenders act, and would have to pay the costs.
Prisoner’s father: Thank you, sir. I have lived in Featherstone 36 years, and the lad has never been charged with anything before.