THEFT of ferrets was an unusual court case reported in the Malvern Gazette 100 years ago.

The two animals, worth ten shillings, were the property of butcher James Coles, of Alfrick, and were stolen from a shed behind the Swan Inn in the village.

A Leigh man, who pleaded guilty to the theft, was sent to prison for 28 days with hard labour.

It was reported that he was a member of the Coldstream Guards, who had deserted from South Africa to come home.