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Boy birched for stealing

Source: Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser 07/06/1900       Date: 1900
Copyright:       Type: Newspaper
Description:

Transcript:
THEFT BY BOYS. Two charges of theft against two boys were heard at the Police Station on Thursday last before Alderman Peter Jones (chair- man), and Mr R. J. Jones. The accused were Daniel Hughes (14), living at Llanbadarn-road, and Thomas Williams (12), living at Crynfryn Build- ings, and they were charged with stealing 4s 6d from the till of the Ship and Castle Inn the previous day. Evidence was given by May Roderick, who said the defendants came to her house on Wednes- day evening, and ordered half-a-pint of cider each. They remained drinking this for about quarter of an hour, during which time they were also playing, rings. Jane Roderick, sister to the last witness, proved having missed money from the till. but when the defendants were accused they denied any knowledge of what had become of the money. She sent her sister for the police, and Hughes then returned 4s, subsequently handing her another 6d. She then locked the door, and told them they would have to wait until a policeman came. The lads then tried to escape by the back door, and while she was preventing them, one ran to the front door, withdrew the bolt. and both escaped. P.C. Williams stated he arrested Hughes that morn- ing near Holy Trinity Church, after having fol- lowed him from the railway station yard. While taking him to the Police Station, Williams overtook them in North-parade, and gave himself up. When charged at the Police Station, Williams said he saw Hughes take the money from the till, Hughes also stating that Williams attempted to open the drawer, but failed to get money, as the drawer made too much noise.There was a further charge against the accused of having stolen two tins of salmon, belonging to Thos. Morgan, South- road. Mrs Morgan deposed that she had missed two tins of salmon, similar to those produced, from her shop the previous evening. When charged with the offence by P.S. Phillips, both admitted it, and said they had eaten the contents at the harbour. Williams also admitted that they had taken seven cigarettes from the shop of Miss Morgan, Great Darkgate-street. The Chief Constable said there was a previous conviction for larceny against Williams at Llanbadarn, when he received six strokes with the birch. Williams was now sentenced to receive ten strokes with the birch for the first offence, and ordered to come up for judgment when called upon on the second. The elder boy (Hughes') was ordered to pay a fine of £1 for the first offence, and bound over in the second. Both boys were admonished by the Bench, and the parents requested to endeavour to place them in some suitable employment.
Notes:
Linked to
Ship and Castle , High Street / Vulcan Street corner, Aberystwyth