On This Day, 5 January 1917

Birmingham Mail

Friday 5 January 1917

SOLDIER CHARGED WITH WAREHOUSE BREAKING

In the Second Court of Birmingham Police to-day, James Briscoe (25), solider, formerly a labourer, of 264, Icknield Port Road, was committed to the Sessions for trial charged with breaking into the premises of Sidney Smith, printer, 28, Cambridge Street, Birmingham. The premises were broken into on Saturday afternoon, September 23rd, and articles valued at £30 stolen. The same day Briscoe sold to a dealer in Great Tindal Street a large clock, a ‘cello, and some rolls of felt, which formed part of the stolen property. Arrested on the 29th December at Cheltenham, by Detective Sterry, Prisoner said “I didn’t break into the place. I had things from two men I only know by sight”. To-day prisoner said he was drunk when two men came up to him with a basket carriage and asked him to sell the articles. He had no idea that the articles were stolen, or he would have had nothing to do with them. Prisoner was remanded til Thursday on a charge of stealing a bicycle.