Denaby Miner’s Temptation – Robbing his Workmates – Drastic Punishment

September 1905

Mexborough and Swinton Times September 9, 1905

A Denaby Miner’s Temptation
Robbing his Workmates
Drastic Punishment

the story of a Denaby miner’s downfall was told at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court, on Wednesday, when William Taylor, formerly a miner, of new Conisborough was charged before Mr J Hodgson, in the chair, and Mr Carr, with having stolen certain monies, the property of one, Thomas Parrish, and others, at Denaby on 1 July.

Mr W Baddiley, who prosecutor, stated that he appeared in support and information against the prisoner, which was for stealing certain monies, the property of Thomas Parrish and certain others. The information gave the amount as £7 because when Parrish laid the information he did not know the exact amount of the money taken, on account of certain deductions which would have been made.

The exact amount was £5 15s 7d and it was that amount which the defendant was charged with stealing. It was one of the worst cases which could possibly happen, for the prisoner and robbed his fellow workmen.

There were certain miners and fillers who were employed doing certain work during the week, and at the end of the week all the coal which they had got was calculated up in the sum total arrived at which was due to the men who had worked at that particular place. It was the custom for the minor was working on the afternoon shift of Friday to attend the pit on the Saturday morning and draw the money belonging to himself and others. On the date in question the prisoner was the man who should have drawn the money. He obtained a paycheck and obtained the money, then absconded and all the other men got nothing at all. This app and on 1 July, and on the third a warrant was taken out and prisoner was apprehended at Atherstone in Warwickshire.

Thomas Parrish, of 5 Edlington Street, New Conisborough, said he was a minor, and on 1 July he was working in stall number 123 in the Denaby pit. The prisoner and two others were also working in the stall, and it was accustomed to divide the earnings proportionately. On Saturday, 1 July, he was working on the morning shift, and the prisoner was employed on the afternoon shift on 30 June, the day previous and the miner working on that shift received the money on the Saturday. Witness came out of the pit at 2 o’clock on Saturday, and the prisoner did not turn up with the money. He made enquiries at the pay office, and the ascertain that the prisoner had been paid. Afterwards he found that he and his wife had gone away, and he took out a warrant on the 3 July. He had not accounted for any of the money.

William Somerset, the afternoon deputy at the east side of Cadeby pit, said during the week ending June 30 prisoner was working in stall 123 with the last witness and others. He gave a paycheck to the prisoner on 30 June, authorising him to receive £5 15 7d.

Mr AH Barnard, agent to the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, gave evidence as to the custom.

PC Watson, stationed at Mexborough, said on 5 September, E receive the prisoner into custody from the Warwickshire County Police, at Atherstone. He read the warrant over train and charging, and he replied “I did not take all that.”

Prisoner pleaded guilty, and said he was in difficulties at the time owing to illness, and he wanted to get away. He could not see any other course but taking the money. It was his intention when he got away, to return the money to Parrish. He hoped they would deal leniently with them, for the sake of his wife and children.

The Chairman said it was a very bad case, and they would deal leniently with him, although he would have to go to prison for six weeks