Mexborough and Swinton Times October 17, 1925

“Devilment”
Conisborough Miners Folly

Albert West and Walter Straw, miners of Conisborough, were, at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Monday, charged with stealing tools and nails, value £4 10s, the property of Charles P Jones and Messrs Ball and coal, of Thurnscoe, from the housing side at New Conisborough. Both pleaded guilty.

Mr W racial, defending West, said he was only two years of age, and when he set out for a Sunday morning walk he had no intention of stealing.

In fact he just took the articles out of devilment, and was now sorry, realising the seriousness of his position.

He (Mr Bracewell) knew this man as trustworthy, for he was in the Territorial Company of which he was an officer . He was the sole support of an invalid father, his mother, and eight children. His wages were 44 shillings a week.

Inspector Dance said it was a fact that West had a family of 10 dependent on him.

The bench fined West £1, taking into consideration the circumstances, and Straw 30 shillings.