Blandford Scot Harry does 'Porridge'

 

Harry Herbert, a fitter from Glasgow, was charged with stealing a pair of leggings valued at four shillings and eleven pence (25p), the property of Reginald Watts. The Scot was appearing at Blandford Police Court before the Mayor, Alderman J Barnes and ex-Mayor, Mr A C Woodhouse. The leggings were sold to Elizabeth Foster of Bryanston for nine old pence (4p). PC Barrett had arrested Harry for drunkeness and while in custody he admitted he had pinched the leggings.

He was then charged with stealing a waistcoat belonging to John Hicks and valued at five shillings and six pence (27p). He sold this to Alice Blandford of White Cliff Mill Street for just eight old pence (3p). He explained he had walked from Dorchester and was very tired when he did this. Harry Herbert then pleaded guilty to this charge.

There was a third charge for stealing a shirt and socks from the shop of George Griffin valued at three shillings and sixpence (17p). He had sold them to William Chard of Charlton Marshall whom he had met in the Greyhound Inn in Blandford. Griffin paid sixpence (2p) for the shirt and one old penny for the socks.

Last charge was for the stealing of a leather case and several pairs of boots and shoes belonging to Mr Hunt, a commercial traveller, at the premises of Mr Hammond. William Randell had seen the defendant with a bundle under his arm but he had dropped some items because he was drunk. Harry had dropped boots and shoes but had only picked up some. The next day, on his way to work, Sidney Pitman picked up the remainder and handed them into the Police.

The Glaswegian pleaded drunkenness this time as his excuse and that he had just returned from South Africa after serving in the Boer War. Harry Herbert was sentenced to one month’s hard labour for each offence. Finally, the purchasers of the articles were cautioned not to purchase things at less than cost price in future. (Blandford Gazette & Three Shires Advertiser – Saturday 28^th November 1903)