Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday, 30 July 1904
Detaining Army Necessaries At Denaby
A Denaby miner, named John Roberts, was summoned for detaining army necessaries, at Denaby, on the 30th of June.
Defendant’s wife appeared.
P.C. Matthews stated that on Wednesday, the 29th June, he apprehended the defendants on William Roberts, on a charge of desertion from the 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. He was then in plain clothes at Mexboro’. He asked him where the army clothes were, and he said they were at the “old man’s” at Denaby.
Witness visited his father’s house at 12 noon the following day and saw the defendant, and told him that he came for some army clothing belonging to his son. He went upstairs for them, and handed him a jacket, a cap, a belt, and some red piping from his son’s trousers.
In reply to witness, defendant said: “Well, I thought I should get in trouble, but I have kept them thinking he would go back.” He had lived with me for the last fortnight, and worked in the pit.”
Defendant’s wife said her husband would have gone himself, but he was very ill. He was 33 years of age, and had never been summoned in his life. There was not a “homester” man in Denaby, but “we have a bad lad,” added Mrs. Roberts.
Continuing, she said that they had found money twice for their son, and he had been and broken their windows.
P.C. Matthews, in answer to the Chairman, said that the defendant’s son had been absent three weeks without leave from his regiment.
The Chairman said they were of opinion that the defendant was guilty, but they did not believe that the defendant had detained the clothing for the purpose of selling it.
He was fined 2s. 6d. and the costs.