December 17, 1904

THREE boys named George Woodall, labourer, of Dudley, George Ashfield, of Red Lion Street, Redditch, and Samuel Cox, of Silver Street, Redditch, were brought up in custody charged with begging alms on December 13.

Police sergeant Brunton stated the facts.

Superintendent Hayes said the case was brought with the intention of stopping a great deal of the begging and petty pilfering which had been going on for the past two or three weeks in the town.

Woodhall was there the previous week on a charge of stealing a cup.

The other boy (Cox) had been in the habit of accompanying him from house to house, where they begged and picked up anything they could lay their hands on.

They did no work at all.

Mr Mulward also spoke of the begging nuisance and said he had received many complaints.

Mrs Ashfield gave her son a good character and Supt Hayes said no doubt he was led astray by the other boys.

Ashfield's mother said there was no reason why he should beg for he had a good home and plenty of food.

Ashfield and Cox were discharged and Woodhall was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment.