On This Day, 14 September 1917

Birmingham Mail

Friday 14 September 1917

THEFT OF COAL

HOW CUSTOMERS ARE DEFRAUDED

At the Birmingham Police Court today, before the Deputy Stipendiary (Mr. Bertram Grimley), Arthur Catherine (44), carter, 26 Tower Road, Aston, was charged with stealing a cwt. of coal, the property of his employers, Thomas Boston and Sons, Witton Wharf.

Accused was sent out this morning to deliver a load of coal at Handsworth Wesleyan College. On the way he was seen by Detective White to leave a bag at a house in Stoneleigh Road, Perry Barr. He was about to take a second bag down the entry when he was arrested. The woman at the house said she was paying 1s. 7d. a cwt. for the coal, and was a retail customer of the firm. The whole of the load should have been delivered to the College. A representative of the firm said action was taken in consequence of complaints. Fining the man 60s., or 25 days, the Deputy Stipendiary said prisoner’s good character had saved him from imprisonment.