Dover Express 16th July 1948.

CLUE OF A WAGES SLIP.

Two Snowdown Colliery miners, James T. Parkinson (28), of 6 Old Park, Aylesham, and John C. Morris (38) of Zealand Road, Canterbury, at Canterbury Quarter Sessions on Saturday, pleaded guilty to being concerned together in breaking and entering the booking office at Canterbury East Station about 16th April and stealing a trunk containing clothing and an ATS girl’s kitbag and suitcase, also containing clothing etc., and 3s 10d from a platform ticket machine; and breaking and entering Cadbury’s depot at Canterbury East on May 15th and stealing chocolates and cocoa to the value of 10s 7d.

Both also admitted being concerned in breaking into the “White Hart”, Canterbury and stealing £4 5s from the till and breaking and entering 3 Worthgate Place, Canterbury, and stealing about £4 5s belonging to Arthur Shrubsole. Parkinson further admitted breaking into the “Dolphin”, Canterbury, and stealing money and breaking into "Aylesham Working Mens’ Club" and stealing bottles of spirits and cash to the total value of £39 14s 5d.

Mr. J. S. Daniel, prosecuting, said that it was due to the vigilance of PC Hutchings that a wages slip was found beneath the open window at Cadbury’s and all these cases were unearthed. The paper led to Morris and on to Parkinson and, in each of their homes, some of the stolen property was found. Morris admitted that he had “done the job” after he had had some beer.

The Recorder (Mr. Eric Neve KC) said it was a very commendable piece of work on the part of the constable.

DC Packman said Parkinson was before a juvenile court on four occasions for larceny and shopbreaking and had been sent to an approved school. He served in the Forces and in the Palestine Police and was discharged with a very good character. He had earned up to £11 weekly at the colliery and was married with three children. Morris had no previous convictions and had been at Snowdown since 1943, was an excellent worker and earned about £10 weekly. He had seven children.

The Probation Officer reported that Parkinson was a good worker and had been in no trouble since 1936. He had stated that he was off work and was short of funds. He did not seem to realise his serious position. Morris had looked after his children well, but was of the type easily swayed after a few drinks. He had had a really bad fright over that case.

The Recorder asked Parkinson if he could give any reason why he should not go to prison for twelve months, and the prisoner replied that, if he went to prison, his wife and children would be the obvious sufferers.

Morris attributed the offences to stoppages and strikes which did not enable him to provide for his wife and family.

He was told to watch his step. The Court would take the lenient course of binding him over for three years.

The Recorder told Parkinson that they were going to make him care. He should have been sent to prison for a long time, but he would be remanded on bail until October, when the course then taken would depend on the reports on him that the Court received.