File:Name- Robert Whiting (17140446606).jpg

English: Name: Robert Whiting

Arrested for: Larceny
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 11 July 1902
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-3-Robert Whiting
The Shields Daily Gazette for 11 July 1902 reports:
"BIG THEFT OF METAL AT TYNEMOUTH
Today at North Shields, before Mr TY. Byers and Mr Tom Young, John G. Green (30) and Robert Whiting (26) were charged on remand with stealing on the 2nd inst. a ton and a half of metal valued at £2, the property of Messrs Brand and Mackintyre, or otherwise receiving the same, well knowing it to have been stolen. on the 2nd inst.
Alexander Mackintyre said that he was one of the firm of Brand & Mackintyre, plumbers. On the 2nd inst. he missed about 30 cwt. of metal from the Tynemouth Skating Rink and gave information to the police. A week previous to this Green asked him if he had any metal to sell and he replied that he had not, but added that he might have some at the Tynemouth Skating Rink in a week's time. He gave the defendants, however, no authority to take the metal. Edward Wardle, a plumber in the employ of the prosecutors, deposed to the defendants coming to the Skating Rink in search of metal. Witness said he had not authority to allow them to take any. Subsequently he went out and when he came back he missed a lot of the metal. The next morning he found it was all gone.
A woman named Robson, and George Bone, marine store dealers, deposed to buying the stuff from the defendants. Detective Scougal spoke to arresting the defendants both of whom said that he thought the other had bought the metal.
On being formally charged Green pleaded guilty and Whiting not guilty. Green had a very black record and was committed to prison for three months with hard labour. Whiting made his third appearance and was fined 20s and costs or one month. On hearing his sentence Green "thanked the gentleman", waved his cap and smiled impudently".
Robert Whiting appears to have been in trouble a year earlier for assault. The Shields Daily Gazette for 27 September 1901 reports:
"To-day at North Shields Robert Whiting, living in Middle Street, Milburn Place, was summoned for assaulting an old women named Margaret O'Toole. The evidence showed that defendant came into complainant's house and assaulted her, and as a result her arm was discoloured. A witness gave corroborative evidence. Defendant denied the assault. He was fined 5s and costs".
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).

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