South Yorkshire Times, December 23, 1932

Stolen Timber

Thurnscoe Men’s Audacious Raid

A raid by four unemployed miners on Stotfold, Thurnscoe, was described at Doncaster on Tuesday, when William Marsden (32). Francis Barns (20), Thomas Morrissey (20), and Harry Thompson (20), all of Thurnscoe, were charged with having done damage amounting to 50s. to trees on land belonging to Lord Halifax.

P.c. France said that in consequence of information received on December 8th, he visited the plantation and found two trees had been sawn down. Later the same day he saw the defendants at Barras’s home where they were sawing the trees into logs. Altogether 70 feet of timber had been stolen. “They are organised for this work. They have a six-wheeled trolley to carry the trees, and two new cross-cut saws.”

The Chairman (Mr. G. B. Milliner): This is one of the worst cases we have had. You ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. This sort of thing must stop.

Marsden was fined 50s. and the others 40s.

Marsden: “Can we have time to pay? I have five children, and if I do not keep them warm. I shall be sent somewhere.

Mr. Shiffner: If not paid in a month, you will go to prison.