South Yorkshire Times, November 3rd 1933

Fraud Not Intended

Thurnscoe Relief Case Adjourned

Charged with obtaining £9 15s. from the Don Valley Public Assistance Committee by false pretences, Herbert Short, unemployed bricklayer, Thurnscoe, appeared at Doncaster on Tuesday.

Charles E. Bayes, relieving officer, said he granted out-relief on July 6th to Short on the grounds of sickness. The household consisted of Short, his wife, and seven children. Short declared on his application form that his only income was 15s. a week National Health Insurance. Short was continuously chargeable till October 13th, when he signed the unemployment register. During the whole of the time he received relief he was also drawing a disability pension, but did not disclose that till October 4th, when relief, which had been granted at the rate of 30s. a week, was reduced to 15s. He received altogether £9 15s.

Short said he was ill in bed when the application forms were filled in. He did not even sign them. He was under the impression a correct statement had been made. He had no intention of defrauding the Committee. He offered to repay the money by instalments.

In view of his offer the Bench adjourned the case for a month to give Short an opportunity of getting back to work