July 9, 1904

ALFRED Blundell, Parsons Row, Mount Pleasant, was brought up charged with stealing an invalid's chair, value £11s, the property of Thomas Loader, 45, Walford Street, Redditch, on 11th June.

Prosecutor, a needle maker, gave evidence as to missing the chair, which was used by his daughter, a cripple.

PC Broome stated he went to Henley-in-Arden on July 3rd and found prisoner in the custody of the police.

He read the warrant and prisoner replied: "I did not sell the carriage.

"She is here who took the carriage away."

On the way to Redditch, prisoner stated that on the night in question the daughter of prosecutor asked him to go away with her.

He replied in the negative, and she then said if he did not come with her she should "go and drown herself, as she did not mean to go home again".

He then wheeled her away and got work and found her plenty to eat and drink - Supt Hayes corroborated.

He added that a Redditch prisoner said that though he did wheel the chair away, he did not see how he could be charged with stealing it.

And he also said the girl could push it about herself a little.

The parties had, according to prisoner's story, been living together about three miles from Henley-in-Arden.

Prisoner said he was very much surprised at the charge as he never thought of stealing the carriage, and they were marketing in Henley-in Arden when he was arrested.

Prisoner said he would like to have as a witness the girl that went away with him.

Further particulars in court revealed the fact that the prisoner was the girl's uncle.

Prisoner: Can I say something?

Duty chairmen: "If I were you, I would say nothing."

"We shall dismiss the case, as there is no felonious intent shown."