File:Alexander George, arrested for stealing a purse (28065712265).jpg

Name: Alexander George Arrested for: not given Arrested at: North Shields Police Station Arrested on: 17 January 1907 Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-101-Alexander George

The Shields Daily News for 19 January 1907 reports:

“THEFT IN A NORTH SHIELDS SCHOOL. YOUTH SENT FOR 14 DAYS.

At North Shields Police Court today, Alex. George (17), residing in Norfolk Street, was charged with stealing a purse containing 7s 6d belonging to Margaret Riddell, at St Joseph’s school, Tyne Street, on the 15th inst.

Margaret Riddell, teacher, deposed to missing the purse from a pocket in her jacket which was hanging in the class room. This was at play time in the afternoon. After the school closed the children picked up an empty purse outside.

Detective Sergt. Hall said he arrested the accused at 6½ Norfolk Street and charged him. He replied “Yes, I took it. I was dying of hunger but I turned afraid afterwards and took it back and gave it to a little girl”. Accused now said he was very sorry and promised to repay the money if he was given a chance. Sergt Hall said the lad had been in three situations in four months and had lost them through laziness. Prisoner made his seventh appearance and was committed for 14 days.”

The Shields Daily News for 24 April 1903 contains the details of an earlier case.

“THEFT BY BOYS.

Alexander George (13), James George (11), Henry Crow (13), Robert Charters (8), Montgomery Bryden (9) and Andrew Dodds (11), Stephenson Street, were charged with stealing a rabbit, valued at 1s 6d, from a backyard at 137 Linskill Street, the property of Sarah Spurling. Prosecutrix said that she missed a rabbit from her back premises, on the date named.

Alfred Hodgson, an assistant with Mr Kelday, poulterer, Camden Street, said that Charters brought the rabbit to the shop and offered to sell it, saying his father was out of work. He gave him 6d for it and afterwards handed it over to the police. Detective Sergt. Scougal said he arrested and charged the accused. They admitted participating in the theft and in sharing the proceeds.

Alex. George, James George, Andrew Dodds and Robt. Charters were then charged with stealing three pigeons, valued at 5s, from the backyard of 37 Jackson Street, on the 21st inst. William Williamson, a boy, said at 6.30pm on the 21st inst. he had a number of pigeons in a dovecot at the house of his parents. At 7pm they were missing. The birds were worth 5s. Later he went to a pigeon shop in the Borough Road and there identified two of them. Det.-Sergt. Scougal said he charged the accused and they admitted stealing the pigeons and selling two. The whole of the prisoners were ordered to be birched”.

For an image of James George see www.flickr.com/photos/twm_news/23169309290/in/album-72157....

These images are a selection from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 in the collection of Tyne & Wear Archives (TWA ref DX1388/1).

This set contains mugshots of boys and girls under the age of 21. This reflects the fact that until 1970 that was the legal age of majority in the UK.