File:George Herbert Morton alias Robinson, plater's marker, arrested for theft (16615668809).jpg

English: Name: George H Morton alias Robinson

Arrested for: not given
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 9 March 1906
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-85-George H Morton AKA Robertson
The Shields Daily News for 28 March 1906 reports:
"A DISHONEST LODGER AT NORTH SHIELDS.
At North Shields Police Court, George Herbert Morton, alias Robinson (17), plater's marker, 11 Park Square, West Hartlepool, was charged on remand with having stolen a gold filled watch, a gold chain, a locket and a scarf pin, valued at £5, the property of John William Nicholson, on the 14th inst.
Prosecutor, who is a bricklayer, living at 93 Stephenson Street, said that on the 13th inst. the accused came to that address as a lodger and shared a bedroom with him. The following day the prisoner disappeared and he (prosecutor) missed the articles mentioned in the charge from a drawer in his room. Mr J.E. Leighton, Police Court Missionary, West Hartlepool, stated that he ascertained at the police station in that town that the accused was wanted for theft. He went to the lad's house and asked him where the things were that he had stolen. The lad began to cry and produced the articles. Witness subsequently came to North Shields and saw the prosecutor, whom he afterwards accompanied to the police station.
A clergyman from Hartlepool gave the accused a very good character and said he had an exceptionally good home. Witness could not account for him having done wrong but he believed that if the magistrates allowed him to go home he would listen to his advice and try to do better.
Chief Constable Huish said unfortunately the accused was wanted at Gateshead and Sunderland. The Bench bound the father over in the sum of £5 to bring the accused up for judgement if called upon within six months".
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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