Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Monday 14 October 1929
Miner’s Wages and Pension.
Doncaster Recorder Puzzled by a Distinction.
George Gilbert Mason (38), miner of Denaby, was bound over for two years at Quarter Sessions on Saturday on three charges of breaking and entering Doncaster shop premises. He pleaded guilty to the charges, and asked that six other offences be taken into consideration.
Mr. W. L. Crawford (prosecuting) said the total value the goods was £100 12s. and the value of the recovered goods £48 9s. When arrested, the prisoner said to Detective Sergeant Wells, “It was caused by the war and gassing, being wounded, and 24 operations. This turned to drink which led to this.”
When arrested, the prisoner said to Detective Sergeant Wells, “It was caused the war and gassing, being wounded, and operations. This turned to drink which led to this.”
Detective Sergeant Wells said prisoner had provided five homes for his wife, but she had left him, and he was now partly supporting his widowed mother. In 1916 he was wounded in the left arm, which was left practically useless after 24 operations. He received a pension 16s. a week. The offences were committed on Wednesday or Thursday evenings after the prisoner had drawn his pension.
“Drink is vour trouble,” said the Recorder (Mr. Scott) to the prisoner, who admitted it was, and asked for another chance, adding that he thought he could keep off the drink.
Answering the Recorder, prisoner said he was willing to be under the Probation Officer, and for that officer to with him to draw his pension, which should then be handed to prisoner’s mother.
The Recorder said was puzzled to find that the prisoner did not get drink with his wages; he took his wages for the support of his mother and home, but he did get drink with his pension.