Conanby Miner Fined – Excess Relief

January 1935

Mexborough and Swinton Times January 11, 1935

Excess Relief
Conanby Miner Fined

John William Morte (37), miner of 3 Barnsley Avenue, Conanby, Conisborough, pleaded not guilty at Doncaster on Tuesday to a charge of having obtained unemployment benefit by false pretences on September 20

Prosecuting for the Ministry of Labour, Mr C.R.Marshall said on the date mentioned defendant drew benefit for himself, his wife, and three children, including a stepson, Bernard Cork, and declared that all were being maintained by him

Investigation proved that the stepson had been at the Wensleydale sanatorium, Aysgarth since December 12, 1933, and defendant was not required to pay anything for his maintenance. The benefit defendant a draw for the child from December 1933 to September 19, 1934 amounted to £1 7s

Donald Wilcox, temporary clerk in the employ of the Ministry of Labour at Mexborough, gave evidence in support

Defendant said he was under the impression that he had to maintain the child. He had sent clothing to the institution

Edward Furbisher, Clerk in the County Medical Officers Department, Wakefield said the County Council would not ask defendant to contribute to the child maintenance, but admitted that the authority might ask the defendant’s for clothing

Sarah Bridget, matron of institution, said a suit was received from defendant on December 19

Mr Marshall said that when defendant was interviewed on October 8 he made the following statement:

“I was not aware that I had to inform the Employment Exchange that my stepson was not living with me and not be maintained by me and I am willing to repay any benefit I have received for him

Defendant said that when the child was sent to the sanatorium, he bought clothes that costs over 5 pounds. He had since sent trousers, shoes and another suit. Every week he sent the boys stamps and pocket money

Defendant was fined 40 shillings