On This Day, 24 May 1917

Birmingham Mail

Thursday 24 May 1917

HANDSWORTH BAKER REFUSES TO PAY FINES

At Smethwick, to-day, Thomas Sherwood, Baker, 132, Antrobus Road, Handsworth, was charged under 5 summonses with selling bread which was found to be not of the weight required by the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

Defendant urged that all the bread was weighed by automatic machinery, and 2lb. 4oz. of dough was regulated for every loaf. The weight varied because of the varying heat of the oven. Those which went in first came out last, and were in the hottest part of the oven, with the result that there was a greater reduction of weight.

The magistrates said it was important that people should get what they paid for in these times. A fine of £10 was imposed in the first case, and £5 in each of the four others.

Defendant said he should not pay; if he did, it would be admitting he was a thief.

The alternative was 112 days, but it was pointed out that the police could distrain. Defendant said if every baker’s cart in Birmingham were stopped nothing less than what was found in that instance would be the result. He strongly refused to pay any penalty.