April 19, 1904

HENRY Hawkes and George Heath, lads, were summoned for playing football near the railway station. Pc Penlington proved the case.

Heath said it was only a halfpenny ball and the policeman had taken it.

Supt Hayes said the boys had become a nuisance and he had felt obliged to send an officer down to the station every half an hour to drive the lads away.

Defendants were ordered to pay 5s each and were allowed until Saturday to find the money.

When asked to give up the ball, the defendants said the police officer had retained it.