On This Day, 21 August 1917

Birmingham Mail

Tuesday 21 August 1917

FOURTEEN DAYS FOR BEGGING

John William Plant, of no fixed abode, was charged in the Second Birmingham Police court today with begging. About 8.30 on Monday night prisoner was standing on the edge of the pavement in Hill Street begging. He was wearing two stripes indicating that he has been wounded in the war, and asking passers-by to help a poor soldier. Police-constable Bootton saw two persons place something in his cap, and on the officer asking him if he had been wounded in the war he said “Yes, I am receiving a pension of 21s. a week.”

Prisoner, who said he came from London, and had nothing to say in answer to the charge, was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment.