Mexborough and Swinton Times May 31st 1929

Coal Thefts at Kilnhurst

Serious State of Things.

When a twelve-year-old Kilnhurst boy was charged at Rotherham West Riding Juvenile Court on Tuesday with having stolen 901lb. of coal, value is., from the Kilnhurst Colliery sidings, it was stated by a representative of Messrs. Stewart and Lloyd, Ltd., the owners of the colliery, that coal stealing was becoming a very serious offence, because persons were getting very bold and were going to the sidings with vehicles to remove the coal. Not only that, but they were leaving the doors of the wagons open and thus creating a danger when the wagon were shunted.

Gegrge Wm. Fanshaw, clerk, employed by the colliery company, said he had chased no boy on several occasions, and be had caught him and warned him three times.

Defendant, who said he saw others; going to the sidings for coal, was bound over for 12 months and ordered to pay 10s. towards the costs.