On This Day, 16 August 1917

Birmingham Mail

Thursday 16 August 1917

THEFT FROM ALLOTMENTS

MAGISTRATES’ WARNING

Three boys were- charged in the Birmingham Children’s Court today with doing wilful damage to allotments at King’s Heath.

Mr. R. H. Heaps, the presiding magistrate, gave a serious warning to boys who had a propensity for stealing fruit and vegetables from allotments and gardens. He said they would treat the offence lightly on this occasion, but boys must understand the magistrates were determined to put a stop to the practice, and they had considered seriously whether the defendants should not be ordered to be birched. Should any boys come before them in future charged with similar offences they would run the risk of being punished in this way.

Small fines were imposed.