File:Robert Brown, miner, arrested for theft (21841015011).jpg

English: Name: Robert Brown

Arrested for: not given
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 26 June 1905
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-73-Robert Brown
The Shields Daily News for 30 June 1905 reports:
“MINERS’ DRUNKEN SPREE. SEQUEL AT THE NORTH SHIELDS POLICE COURT.
At the North Shields Police Court this morning, John Parker (27), residing at 30 Pont Street, Hirst and Robert Brown (24), two miners, were brought up in custody, charged with stealing, between the 17th and 18th June, from a garden situate at Billy Mill, two chickens of the value of 2s, the property of Jno. Tarbet.
They were further charged with stealing two planes, one spoke shave and one chisel of the value of 5s, the property of Andrew Straughan, between the same dates. They also were charged with stealing a walking stick, 1 razor, two pairs of spectacles, and 6 keys, the property of Thomas Stobart. After evidence had been given by the prosecutors, Inspector Proud spoke to apprehending and charging them with the first two thefts, which they admitted. PC Askew spoke to charging them with the third charge, which they also admitted.
Mr Duncan, for the defence, contended that there was no felonious intention on their part to convert the property to their own use and no foundation for preferring charges of larceny against them. They didn’t behave like thieves, however idiotic or silly they may have been. They were intoxicated and full of mischief and foolishly went into the places. They were walking from North Shields to Backworth, having missed their conveyance, and on the road they committed the depredations complained of, acting under the influence of drink. It was just a mischievous drunken riot, if it may be so called. They had been in custody since Sunday last and he thought they had been sufficiently punished for their foolish behaviour. Mr Duncan added that the defendants were willing to make restitution to the owners. If the prisoner Brown was convicted he would lose his pension from the army.
The prisoners gave evidence on their own behalf, bearing out Mr Duncan’s statement. The magistrates fined Parker 10s without costs in each case and bound Brown over in the sum of 40s to be of good behaviour for three 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).

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