Gaoled For 12 Months

Unemployed John Lawrence Bond, gaoled for a total of 12 months by Doncaster West Riding Magistrates on Tuesday, admitted that he had not worked since he was released from Borstal 16 months ago.

Bond, of Cedar Grove, Conisbrough, stated to have five previous convictions, pleaded guilty to being with others in stealing copper cable valued £45 belonging to the National Coal Board, and stealing property valued £5 from a store shed in Denaby Lane, Denaby, the property of Harvey’s Sweets Ltd.

He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on each offence, the sentences to run consecutively.

The Chairman, Mr. C. Wright, told him: “You seem intent on spending the best part of your life in prison.”

Prosecuting, Mr. Frank Taylor, said that managers from the sweets factory heard noises from the direction of the store shed and on investigation found Bond inside,

“Made Off”

He said Bond told the managers to “mind their own business” and he would “go out the same way’ as he came in. Mr. Taylor said: “With that Bond climbed out of a window and made off.”

He said that when he was later interviewed by police Bond said he had been at Sprotborough at the time in question, and when again interviewed he then said he was at home , having his dinner. On a third occasion he said he was at Bawtry and could “bring 50 witnesses to prove it” said Mr. Taylor, adding: “But eventually he admitted being in the shed.” Mr. Taylor said that the offence of stealing copper had been put to Bond when police had recognised he was the man who ran off when another, man was arrested for being concerned in the theft.

In court Bond said: “I have been foolish in the past. ‘I’m going to get a job now and make a fresh start.”

Bond said he had not worked since he left Borstal. 16 months ago and addeci: “I think that’s been the trouble, I haven’t been interested’ in working.”