Mexborough and Swinton Times 20 April 1955
Conisbrough Youths Took Car
Each Ordered to Pay £2 10s
Two youths, one who had been rewarded by the police and GPO and once stated to be “quiet” and went to church regularly – appeared at Rotherham Borough Court on Saturday charged with attempted to drive away a car without the owner’s consent.
They were told by the chairman Mr Frank Beardsell: “We think this was a bit of a prank; but you must pay for your foolishness.”
The boys, David Forster (18) of 6 Warren Road Conisbrough and James Patrick Hanley (19) of 21 Cedric Avenue, Conisbrough, were each fined £2 with 10 shilling costs
Forster’s grandfather, Mr TW Forster, said his grandson and live with them and his wife are most of his life never been in trouble. A short time ago he was rewarded by the police and the GPO for return a registered packets containing money.
Hanley’s mother said he was a quiet boy and went to church every week.
Chief Inspector Dougal Spensley (prosecuting) said the car was owned by Mr William Gledhill, a British Road services driver, left it at the depot in Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham, when he had to drive to Hull on Friday. On Friday night PC Foster was on duty in Fitzwilliam Road, when he saw Forster standing in the shadow of a wall. He saw Hanley sitting in the car. When questioned, Hanley said it was his car; but he did not know the number. He told the PC, “We have run out of petrol and have to get a taxi.”
The officers suspicions were aroused however and then Hanley ran away. Forster said he met Hanley in the Station Hotel and did not know him previously. Later Hanley gave himself up at the police station and said: “I am the man was with David Forster at Rotherham.” Hanley said in a statement that he did not intend to take the car away.
In court both said they could not drive.