File:Jane A. Teasdale, arrested for obtaining food and lodgings by false pretences (21778172710).jpg

Name: Jane A. Teasdale Arrested for: not given Arrested at: North Shields Police Station Arrested on: 9 September 1915 Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-250-Jane A Teasdale

The Shields Daily News for 17 September 1915 reports:

“FALSE PRETENCES CASE. A SERVANT GIRL CHARGED AT NORTH SHIELDS.

Today at North Shields, Jane Ann Teasdale (21) of Court Hill, Farndale, Kirby Moorside, was brought up on remand, charged with unlawfully and knowingly, by a certain false pretence, obtaining from one Elizabeth Goodwill certain food and lodgings to the amount of 7s 11d with intent to cheat and defraud, between the 2nd and 8th September.

Elizabeth Goodwill of 3 St George’s Place, Front Street, Cullercoats, stated that at 1pm on the 2nd inst. defendant came to her house and asked for a room for the winter months. She said she had come from Kirby Moorside to a situation at 9 Northumberland Terrace, Tynemouth, and her box was there. Witness took her in and on the Sunday a letter came and defendant said it was from her father, who was coming to the house. Witness became suspicious and went to the above address and found the place closed. The father never came. Later the defendant admitted having written the letter herself. Witness supplied her with food to the amount of 8s.

Mary Sisson of 9 Northumberland Terrace, Tynemouth, said that defendant came to her house for a situation and said she had been sent from a registry office. Witness engaged her as a day girl; she had no box. PC Colpitts said that at 10.30 am on the 8th inst. he saw defendant at the first witness’s house and took her into custody. When charged she replied “Get me some work to do, but don’t send me back home”. Defendant pleaded guilty and had nothing to say. She was then further charged with having obtained, by means of a certain false pretence, 2s, the property of Grace Annie Kerrick Walker on the 4th inst.

Grace Annie Kerrick Walker said that defendant came to her on the 4th and asked for the loan of 2s. She said she was staying with Mrs Goodwill and had paid her in advance. Witness gave her the 2s. Mrs Goodwill, recalled, said from the 2nd inst. to the 8th inst. she never received any money from defendant. PC Colpitts said that when he charged her with this offence she made nor reply. Defendant pleaded guilty and said that she wanted to be sent to a home. In February last year defendant was bound over for stealing shoes.

Miss Moffatt, the missioner, said she had a talk with defendant yesterday and she said she came to Whitley to be nearer her sweetheart, who is a soldier. Since she got into trouble her sweetheart had cast her off. She said her father was good to her but her mother was not. In reply to the Chairman (Dr Peart) Miss Moffatt said she thought the Salvation Army Home at South Shields would take her in. Defendant was remanded until tomorrow”.

These images are taken from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 (TWAM ref. DX1388/1). This set is our selection of the best mugshots taken during the First World War. They have been chosen because of the sharpness and general quality of the images. The album doesn’t record the details of each prisoner’s crimes, just their names and dates of arrest.

In order to discover the stories behind the mugshots, staff from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums visited North Shields Local Studies Library where they carefully searched through microfilm copies of the ‘Shields Daily News’ looking for newspaper reports of the court cases. The newspaper reports have been transcribed and added below each mugshot.

Combining these two separate records gives us a fascinating insight into life on the Home Front during the First World War. These images document the lives of people of different ages and backgrounds, both civilians and soldiers. Our purpose here is not to judge them but simply to reflect the realities of their time.