File:Frederick Mudd, arrested for stealing money (19557982709).jpg

English: Name: Frederick Mudd

Arrested for: Larceny
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 3 April 1905
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-69-Frederick Mudd
The Shields Daily News for 11 February 1905 reports:
“ANOTHER FISH STEALER SENT TO PRISON
At the North Shields Police Court this morning … Frederick Mudd, 17 years of age, residing at 13 Reed Street, was charged with stealing a quantity of haddocks, valued at 3s, the property of the Tyne Steam Fishing Coy, on the 10th inst. PC Spindler said that on Friday afternoon he met the accused coming from the direction of the steam trawler Tyne Belle, carrying a quantity of haddocks. A soon as the accused saw him he dropped the haddocks and ran away. Afterwards he arrested the accused and charged him with stealing the fish, to which he replied, “I have nothing to say”. A clerk representing the Tyne Steam Fishing Company estimated the value of the fish, which the accused dropped at 3s. The Bench committed prisoner to gaol for fourteen days with hard labour”.
The Shields Daily News for 3 April 1905 reports:
“LARCENY FROM A NORTH SHIELDS TRAWLER. A BOY ROBS HIS BENEFACTORS.
At North Shields Police Court today, Frederick Mudd (17), no fixed abode, was charged with stealing 4s, the moneys of Frederick Marriott, mate of the steam trawler Volunteer, on the 30th ult. The Prosecutor stated that before the boat cast off on March 27th the accused came on board, and in consequence of the statements he made, he was taken to sea. When the boat returned on the 30th ult. the prisoner went ashore and witness missed 4s from his coat pocket in the cabin. PC Spindler said he arrested the accused at noon on the same date. He said he was very sorry he had taken the money. Witness found 3s in his possession and got 3d at a cook shop where the prisoner had left it.
In answer to the magistrates clerk (Mr R.F. Kidd) the prosecutor said that the reason the accused was taken to sea was that he stated he had no father and no mother, and accordingly they took pity on him. Prisoner pleaded guilty to this charge, and also to a further charge of stealing 2s 2d belonging to the third hand of the same steamer. Ald. Elliot said that it was very bad and very ungrateful behaviour on the part of the accused towards those who had shown him kindness by giving him food and shelter. He would be committed to prison for six weeks with hard labour”.
The Shields Daily News for 12 September 1905 reports:
“THREE MONTHS FOR THEFT
At North Shields Police Court today, Frederick Mudd (17), Myock’s lodging house, was charged with having stolen a pair of Wellington boots, valued at 3s the property of Edgar Beal, a youth employed on board the steam drifter Seymolicus, of Yarmouth. The prosecutor deposed on the 10th inst. he missed the boots from the fo’c’stle, where he had put them two days previously.
PC Spindler said he saw the prisoner on the Fish Quay yesterday morning, wearing the boots. He charged him with having stolen them, and he replied that he bought them from a man for 6d, but on the way to the police station he said he might as well speak the truth, and admitted that he stole the boots on Friday. Chief Constable Huish said the accused, who made his 7th appearance, had been previously imprisoned for theft. He was committed for three months with hard labour”.
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.

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