On This Day, 3 September 1917

Birmingham Mail

Monday 3 September 1917

BIRMINGHAM WOMAN’S REMARKABLE CAREER

Ellen Parr (44), domestic servant, lodging-house, Peal Street, was charged at Walsall, today, with stealing a silver cream jug, a clothes brush, a pair of spectacles, and a pair of scissors, total value £1 12s. 6., the property of Mr. Francis J. Gegg, manager of the local branch of the London City and Midland Bank, who resides at 2, Foden Road, Walsall.

It was stated that the property was missed on Friday last, and that prisoner had been in prosecutor’s employ for a fortnight but left six weeks ago.

Her explanation was that she called at the house to enquire if Mrs. Gegg would have her back, but finding no one about, she gave way to temptation, and took the things. She had had a few drinks at the time.

Chief Constable Thomson mentioned that the accused had over fifty convictions against her in Birmingham, though it was the first time she had been charged with theft. She had twice had three years in an inebriates’ home.

Prisoner told the Bench that her father was a well known gentleman in Birmingham, and that she herself left Birmingham hoping she might reform. She started the New Year afresh, and had been working ever since.

The probation officer promised to get the woman into a home, and the Bench accordingly adjourned the case for this arrangement to be carried out.