Mexborough and Swinton Times September 6 1919

Sent To Reformatory

On Tuesday, at Doncaster, a boy, aged 15, denied that he had stolen a cricket bat belonging to the Hickleton Main C.C..

Evidence was given that the pavilion was broken into and the bat taken.

Another boy said he saw the defendant at the window pulling at the bars.

The defendant, however, said he and another lad found the bat in the hedge bottom in the recreation ground, and they took it home, and, after playing with it for two days returned it to the groundsman’s son who informed the police. He disclaimed any intention of stealing it. The lad, however, admitted that when the police saw him he said, “Let me off this time and I will not pinch anything again.”

Superintendent Minty said the defendant had been convicted several times. He had been a source of trouble to his parents for some time and no doubt they had done their best to look after him, but he appeared to be out of control.

The magistrates decided to send him to a reformatory until he is 19 years of age. Upon hearing the decision the father collapsed and the boy and the mother wept bitterly.