File:William Buckham alias Smith (20455629595).jpg

English: Name: William Buckham alias Smith

Arrested for: not given
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 27 July 1905
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-75-William Buckham AKA Smith
The Shields Daily News for 4 August 1905 reports:
"At North Shields Police Court today William Buckham, alias Smith (20), of no fixed abode, was charged with attempting to break and enter a sweet shop on the Grand Parade, Tynemouth, occupied by Messrs Maynard Ltd on the 26th ult.
William Harvey, caretaker of the shelter, which adjoins a number of shops, deposed to locking up the premises shortly before 10 o'clock on the night in question and finding next morning that they had been broken into. Annie Nichols, an assistant with Messrs Maynard, said the shop was left secured at one o'clock on the 26th ult. Sergt. Charlton said he saw the accused at 3.30 in the morning leave the public shelter.He accosted him and asked him what he was doing there and he replied that he had just come from Blyth. Witness asked the accused what he had in his pockets and he replied "Nothing". On searching him he found a screw driver and upon inspecting the premises he discovered that the door of a sweet shop had been forced open. There were paint marks on the tool corresponding with the colour of the paint on the door.
Prisoner, on being formally charged, pleaded not guilty and said he had nothing to say. He was ordered to take his trial at the next Quarter Sessions".
The Shields Daily News for 19 September 1905 reports:
“BREAKING INTO A CAFÉ AT EAST HOWDON. YOUNG MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
At North Shields Police Court today, William Buckham (20), no fixed abode, 8th appearance, was charged with breaking and entering a café at East Howdon between the 22nd and 23rd July and stealing therefrom a quantity of cigars and cigarettes, a tin of sardines and a tin of salmon valued at £1 10s, the property of Mr H.H. Higginbottom.
Mr G.H. Hall, manager of the café, said that on the night of the 22nd July he left the premises secure and upon returning shortly after 10 o’clock next morning, he found they had been broken into. Access had been obtained through the roof. The skylight had been smashed and the thief had lowered himself down into the room below by means of a rope. Witness examined the stock and missed the articles mentioned in the charge, which were valued at £1 10s.
Detective Sergt. Scougal put in a letter which had been received by the Chief Constable (Mr J.H. Huish). In this letter, the prisoner, who was in custody on another charge of breaking into a shelter, confessed that he had broken into the café and stolen the goods referred to. Witness charged him and he pleaded guilty. Mr Huish asked the accused if he had written the letter and he replied in the affirmative. The magistrates committed the accused for trial at the Quarter Sessions”.
A list of sentences at the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions of the Count of Northumberland was given in the Morpeth Herald of the 21 October 1905. It reports:
“William Buckham (20) on a charge of breaking and entering at Tynemouth, 12 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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