South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 04 April 1942

Neglectful Fathers

Thurnscoe Men Sent To Prison

For causing unnecessary suffering to his five children, aged from one to eight years, Cyril Wilburn (32), miner, of Thurnscoe, was at the Doncacter West Riding Police Court on Tuesday sent to prison for six months. He was also fined £215 or three months imprisonment in default.

His wife Olive (27), was bound over for two years on a similar charge.

Supt. Walker said that in December Wilburn was fined £15 for absenteeism and there were outstanding fines for not sending the children to school.

Witness stated that the children were dirty and badly clothed and the home was in a filthy condition. There was only one bed in the house, and the only food in the place was a dirty piece of margarine.

Another Thurnscoe man, Michael Brannan (35), was sent to prison for six months and fined £25, or three months in prison in default, on a similar charge in respect of seven children ranging in age from one to 13 years.

His wife Ivy (36) was bound over for two years.

For the prosecution, Mr. W. L. Crawford said the home and the children were badly neglected.

Fred Bush (26), miner, and his wife Violet (24) of Thurnscoe, were Jointly charged with causing unnecessary suffering to their four children. Bush was said to be earning good wages.

Mr. W. L. Crawford said the home was dirty and the children scantily clothed and covered with sores.

Bush was sent to prison for six months and his life was bound over for two years.