Contractor’s Theft – Sequel To Demolition, Stone’s Taken at “Funny Hours”

February 1938

Mexborough and Swinton Times, February 25, 1938

Contractor’s Theft
Sequel To Conisborough Demolition,
Stone’s Taken at “Funny Hours”

“This is about the most outrageous piece of theft which has been before the court for some time,” said Mr A.S.Furniss at Doncaster West Riding Court on Tuesday and prosecuting a charge against Harry Proctor, 27, haulage contractor, Whites Lane, Sheffield.

Proctor was charged with stealing a quantity of pitching stones from a housing estate which was being demolished under a clearance scheme in March Lane, Conisborough and was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment.

The stance, valued at a minimum of £25 was the property of Arthur W Harden, building and contractor, Cemetery Road, Doncaster.

Mr Furniss explained that Mr Harden bought in September 1937, eight houses in March Ln, Conisborough, which were to be demolished, and agreed to sell them to Mr Haslam, a Doncaster building contractor. Material obtained from the Conisborough estate was viewed by Mr Haslam for the Lord making on the Wheatley Park estate, Doncaster.

The defendant got the contract for transporting the material from Conisborough to Doncaster, and he was to be paid 2/6 a ton. Mr Furniss said the defendant attended at the Conisborough site to transport the material “at very funny hours,” very early in the morning and late at night.

Instead of taking the material to Mr Haslam’s estate he took over the hundred tons of limestone to estates in  Sheffield. The defendant took some of the loads to the Brinsworth Hall estate and received 4/9 a ton for the property which did not belong to him. Proctor had also been pulling walls down and taking the material and selling it.

“Unfortunately,” Mr Furniss went on “I have to call a man who was formerly in defendant’s employ and who carted some of the material away but did not know the arrangement. Proctor has threatened this man George Jekells, of The Ravine Sheffield, and when the police stopped a van driven by Jekells, defendant was hear to say, “I will see you all right’, if you see me all right “

Visited Witness

the defendant then told Jekyll to tell the police officer that he had been to Doncaster, but the man told the officer he had just been to Sheffield. Proctor and four other men, ‘continued Mr. Furniss, visited Jekell at his home. Defendant said “Have you got your log sheets?” Witness said “Yes.’ Defendant then said, “Don’t give them to anybody,” and suggested that new log sheets be made out.

P.c. Bilby said that Proctor said to him, “We have, taken about three loads of rough, stuff to Sheffield which Mr Haslam said he did not want.” Up

Mr. L. Brittain for defendant said defendant was a man of good character and he had carried on a good business for some time. At the end of November last year he had to undergo a serious operation. In consequence of this he had to leave the main part of the Management of his business to his. wife. He was convalescing until yesterday. He told me he did not know the stone was being taken to the wrong place, said Mr. Brittain.

Defendant told the magistrate he had taken material to Sheffield, but all that belonged to Mr. Haslam were three loads of rubbish.

Announcing the sentence, the chairman of the: Bench, Mr. Mark L. Nokes, said there was too big an amount for them ever to try and .put a fine on.

“You have made a mistake this time.”