South Yorkshire Times December 2, 1967

Gaoled for Six Months

When Brian Eccles (34), unemployed, of 41, Holywell Road, Kilnhurst, and Bernard Machin (29), unemployed, of Thorn Road. Kilnhurst, broke into a scrap merchant’s premises at Swinton, they took a boat to transport stolen property away along the canal, Rotherham West Riding Magistrates heard on Monday.

Eccles and Machin were jailed for six months after pleading guilty to breaking into the store of F. Tingle and stealing scrap copper worth £46 15s.

A similar charge against Malcolm Trevor Jowe (27). unemployed, of 6. Aitken Road, Kilnhurst, who pleaded not guilty was adjourned for a week. He  was allowed bail.

Tea Chests

Inspector A. B. Briggs said Machin was arrested in the building and Eccles was  caught at the rear of the premises. Two tea chests containing scrap copper had been moved towards a broken window.

Machin when questioned, said they had gone to get some metal. He said he broke a window at the rear of the metal store and climbed in. He was going to let the others in but was caught by the police.

He also said he had got a boat from a place lower down the canal and tied it up at the back of the metal store.

Both Machin and Eccles were said to have a number of previous convictions.

Mr. K. Rawlin, defending. said both men, who were brothers-in- law, had been unemployed for some time but had now been offered jobs.