On This Day, 17 December 1917

Birmingham Mail

Monday 17 December 1917

A MAN OF MYSTERY

ANOTHER’S EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE

At Birmingham Police Court, today, a man who gave the name of John Reeves (30), living in lodgings in Piggott Street, was today sentenced to five months’ imprisonment-two months for falsely representing himself to have a certificate exempting him from military service, and three months for being concerned with Marjory Miller (20), waitress, in the theft of spoons, knives, etc., from the Queen’s Hotel, Birmingham, and electro-plated articles from the Picture House Cafe, New St.

On December 8 Special-constable Mallet saw the man in a shop in Broad street, and he then produced an exemption card issued at Handsworth to John Reeves. The man bolted on the way to the Detective Office, but was subsequently arrested by Detective Williamson. Enquiries showed that the exemption card was issued to John Reeves, now in the employ of Y.M.C.A. at Oswestry.

The Stipendiary enquired the name of the prisoner.

Lieutenant Malins (For the Military): We do not know.

The real John Reeves gave evidence, stating that the card was lost in the post.

Prisoner said he found the card, but did not say where.

Further evidence was given to show that the male prisoner took lodgings for himself and the girl, whom he described as his wife. She was employed at the Queen’s Hotel, and Detective Williamson said she had a respectable home at Stoke-on-Trent, and before meeting the man had borne a good character.

Miller was placed on probation for two years.