Mexborough and Swinton Times June 29, 1928

Denaby Schoolboy’s Thefts
Warning To Parents

A Conisbrough schoolboy pleaded guilty at Doncaster on Wednesday to stealing a pair of spectacles valued at 4s 6d from the Roman Catholic Church, and 2s 6d from the Roman Catholic School.

Superintendent Minty said the spectacles were missed by a boy after attending a service there, and the defendant afterwards gave them to another boy. When charged with the offence he said: “I took them from the bench at the church.”

With regard to the theft of 2s 6d Mr Minty said that Mr Joseph Watson, one of the masters at the school, left two of crowns on his desk in the classroom. He went into the playground, and on returning one of the half crowns was missing. The defendant admitted taking the money and spending it on sweets.

PC Thompson said the boy’s home conditions were very bad, and he was not looked after very well.

The chairman (Mr W.J.Lazenby) said the boy would be placed under the probation officer for two years, and his parents would have to pay 10s towards the costs.

It was clear that the boy’s upbringing and surroundings were bad, and unless these were improved the parents might have to suffer for it.