Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 24 October 1902
Stealing Apples at Conisborough
Albert Holden (9), Richard Pearce (11), Arthur Johnson (11) and George Desborough (9), school boys, all of Conisborough, were summoned by Mr. W. Baddiley (on behalf of Mr. Walker), for having stolen a number of apples from Mr. Walker’s orchard, on October 9th.
Mr. Baddiley said Mr. Walker had had a large quantity of fruit stolen from his orchard last year and was chairman to put a stop to it.
Albert Ellis’s deposed that he saw the four defendants knocking apples off the trees and putting them in their pockets.
P.c. Duffin said in consequence of a complaint he visited the Conisborough Board Schools, where he saw three of the defendants, including Holden, and charge them with having stolen apples from Mr Walker’s orchard. Holden replied, “I only got 10.”
A fine of 11 shillings, including costs and damage, was imposed in each defendant, all of whom pleaded guilty.