By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 5th April, 1919 reported on the serious consequences that stealing a £1 note had for a young Ryde lad who had clearly turned to bad ways.
THEFT OF TREASURY NOTE.
James Sexton (13½), 6 Bettesworth Road, was charged with stealing a £1 Treasury note from the kitchen of Hazelwood villas, West Street, the property of Mrs. H. Richards, on March 27th.
Mrs. Richards, who lives at 3 Argyll-place, stated that on Thursday, she was at Hazelwood villas assisting her mother who resided there and placed a £1 Treasury note in a sauce-boat on the kitchen dresser. She went to make the bed and returning a quarter of an hour later missed the note. The defendant delivered papers there.
Annie Eames, shopkeeper, 8 St. Thomas’s Square, stated that on Thursday shortly after 11am, defendant came to her shop and asked for a fountain pen. She supplied one similar to that produced for 7½d. and he asked her if she could change a £1 note which he tendered. She asked him if it belonged to him and he replied “No, it is my mother’s.” He added that he must put away the change safely and she remarked upon what a lot it was for him to have as she changed it for him.
Police-Sergeant Rees said that on Friday, about 9.30 a.m. he saw defendant at Portsmouth Police-station and told him he was making inquiries about a £1 treasury note that had been stolen on the previous day. After some hesitation the lad replied “I took it.” Upon him was a purse containing 12s., and the fountain pen produced. Witness asked “is this part of the £1 note?” and he replied “Yes.” He conveyed him to Ryde.
The mother of the accused was in court and she asked that the case should be settled there. She was very sorry as she knew nothing about the theft. The lad was beyond her control.
The Chief Constable informed the Bench that the parents were respectable people and none could account for the lad’s conduct. He has been before the court on three occasions, first for stealing a bicycle, then housebreaking for which he received three strokes, and a week ago he was fined £2 13s. 6d. for wilful damage to railings.
On the application of the Chief Constable a remand for a week was granted in order that the arrangements might be made to send him to a reformatory.