Mexborough and Swinton Times July 26, 1935
Stolen Copper
Denaby Man’s Night Raid.
A nocturnal visit to Denaby Colliery on July 16th by Douglas Davies (21) and Sydney Wright (26), labourers, of Denaby, led to both men being charged at Doncaster on Saturday with having stolen six lengths of copper tubing 12ft by 2ins., valued at £6, from the pit.
Inspector Lofthouse said a boiler at the colliery was dismantled on June 28th. The copper tubes were withdrawn and placed in the yard near the boiler house. At 1-50 a.m. on July 16th, P.c. Harrison, of Mexborough, was on duty on the canal bank when he heard metal clanking together on the other side of the canal. He cycled to the crossing and intercepted the pair, who were carrying the tubes. At first they refused to give an explanation, but later Davies said they had ‘pinched’ them, and Wright added: ‘From Denaby, if tha wants to know.’ When charged Davies said ‘I nearly made thee swim for it,’ and Wright replied ‘You are lucky to get us.’
Davies said he was a surface worker at Denaby Colliery, and had had no money for a week owing to the strike. He intended selling the tubes so that get could get some food. His parents had told him that if he had only done to them they would have given him something.
Wright said he had been unemployed for two years and wanted food for his wife, who was ill.
Davies, who had a previous conviction for larceny, was fined £2 and Wright £1, the Chairman (Mr. G. E. Cooke-Yarborough) telling them that the magistrates were dealing leniently with them.