On This Day, 24 September 1917

Evening Despatch

Monday 24 September 1917

POTATO THIEVES IN MOTOR-CAR

BIRMINGHAM MAN FINED AT RUSHALL

John Malcom Blundell, aged 22, stated to be a motor-car tester employed by the Calthorpe Motor Car Company, Birmingham, and living in Francis-Street, Birmingham, was summoned at Rushall today for stealing 5 ewts. of potatoes, value 30s.

Mr. A. Hewitt, a farmer, of Lydon’s Farm, Streetley and a boy in his employ swore that they saw four men stealing potatoes out of a field and that the men drove off in a small green motor-car. They saw one bag of potatoes put into the car.

They identified the defendant in Birmingham as being the man who drove the car.

Mr. Phillip Baker, of Birmingham, who defended, pleaded an alibi, and called several witnesses. He denied that Blundell was at Streetley at all when the potatoes were stolen.

Defendant was fined 20s. and also ordered to pay 30s., the value of the potatoes.