Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 03 August 1940

Sucked Hens’ Eggs

Kilnhurst Youth Summoned

Harold Dixon, haulage hand, of 17 Thomas Street. Kilnhurst, pleaded “not guilty” at Rotherham West Riding Court on Monday to a summons for having stolen two hen eggs valued at 5d., the property of Mr John Foster, farmer, of Hooton Roberts. He was ordered to pay 23s costs, the chairman of the Second Court magistrates (Mr. A. E. M Turner) remarking that although no conviction would be registered against him on this occasion he should have known better than to pick up eggs on someone else’s property.

Inspector Johnson said that Mr. John Foster of Common Farm, Hooton Roberts had for some time past been finding egg shells from which, apparently, their contents had been sucked. He kept watch and on June 24th saw a youth in his stack yard. The youth ran away and he was unable to catch him. He reported the matter to P.c. McKim, who interviewed defendant.

Accused said “I went to do some business and found an egg.” When charged with stealing the eggs he made no reply. The farmer would tell the Bench that he had found no more empty egg shells lying about since the accused had been caught.

John Foster, farmer, identified the accused as the youth he saw in the stack yard.

P.c. McKim said that he found the remains of egg shells in the lad’s pockets when he went to interview him, and marks around his mouth seemed to indicate that he had sucked an egg.