Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 25 September 1931
Young Brigands.
Conisboro’ Lads Widespread Looting.
The misdoing, of four Conisborough pit lads, were revealed at the Doncaster West Hiding Police Court on Tuesday, when Leonard H. Smith (16), Joseph Roland Thompson (16) Charles Davies (17) and a 15-year-old lad were charged with a number of thefts committed between April 11th and September 19th,. at Denaby and Conisborough.
There were charges against Smith, Thompson and Davies of breaking into the Denaby British Legion Club, on Sept. 19th, and stealing chocolates, sweets and cash value £2.14s 4d, against Smith., Thompson and the younger boy for breaking into the shop of Albert E. Stones, newsagent., on or about Sept. 17th and stealing cigarettes and sweets value 29s 6d.; against Thompson and Smith of breaking into the Baths Hall at Denaby on or about August 15th and stealing sweets value 29s. 6d, Davies and Thompson of breaking into the shop of Mr Charles Moody on or about May 17th and stealing chocolates value 30s ; against Davies. Thompson and Smith of breaking into the warehouse of Mr. Joseph Drabble on or about May 11th and stealing stockings and chocolates value 30s.; against Smith and Thompson of breaking into the warehouse of Mr. Edward Oakley on September 6th and stealing fruit value 3s. and against Smith, Thompson and Davies of breaking into the shop of Mr. John W. Rayner and stealing sweets value 8s.
Defendants pleaded “Guilty.”
Inspector Taylor said the cases were all similar. P.c. Dobson on making enquiries had elicited from the boys the fact that they had taken the various article., some of which had been hidden in Ivanhoe Park, while Thompson had also hidden some of the things at his home.
Asked by the Bench why they had done this. Smith replied We did it for mischief,” and added that they broke into the shops during the night. Smith’s father said he thought the whole thing was irresponsibility, “going to the pictures and reading books. His son had never brought anything home and he did not know be was in trouble till the police came.
The Chairman (Col A. L. Rucke-Keane): At their time of life they should have learned sense and it is not the smallest good saying these things were done out of mischief. This is house-breaking, which is a most serious offence.
The chairman later that the Bench would not, convict, but the boys would he bound over for two years and would be placed tinder the supervision of the Probation Officer.
Costs were divided as follows: Thompson £3 10s. Smith £3. Davies £2. and the other defendant 10s.