Sheffield Evening Telegraph, October 19, 1909

Father Sends Son To Take Coal

At the Rotherham West Riding Court, today, a fine of 20 shillings and cost was imposed in respect of the theft of £10 weight of coal, value 2d, the property of the Great Central Railway Company.

A boy named John Bentle was seen in the act of picking the call in a siding which was only about 30 yards from his home at Kilnhurst.

The father, a farmer, set up the defence that the siding was put down for the benefit of the Sheffield Corporation and his (defendant) predecessor at the farm. He admitted having sent his son.

The bench said there was no stain on the lads character.