Whisky Theft
Report from the Birmingham Journal 26 March 1864, page 8 column 3.
Stourbridge
ROBBERY BY RAILWAY SERVANTS - At the Police Court, on Thursday afternoon, William York, railway watchman, James Harris, engine drivere, and Daniel Boucher, stoker, were charged with stealing 2½ gallons of whisky, the property of the Great Western Railway Company, on the 20th March. A boy named James Brown, also a servant of the Great Western Railway Company, was placed in the dock with the prisoners, but as there was no evidence against him he was at once discharged. Mr Bentley (or Worcester) appeared to prosecute, and Mr Burbury for the prisoners. Mr Bentley stated that on Saturday night last York was a night watchman at the Stourbridge Railway Staion, and his duty was to be there from seven o'clock at night till seven on Sunday morning. Harris on Saturday night drove a goods train from Bushbury Junction to Worcester, and in one of the trucks of the train was a case of whisky. Boucher was the fireman of the train, and a man named Shewards, who has since absconded, was the guard. The cask in question was for Mr Malpa, wine and spirit merchant, of Worcester. The train arrived at Stourbridge Station somewhere about ten or eleven on Saturday night, and remained there about an hour. During that time the cask of whisky was tapped, and two gallons were taken out. Having stated further particulars with regard to the caes, Mr Bentley called his witnesses. ON of them (Sergeant Booth) said he met York near the Stourbridge Railway Statio on Sunday morning. He was carrying a can, which he said contained coffee, but which the witness found to be whisky. He took him into custody on the charge of stealing it. He went to Worcester on Monday morning, and apprehended Harris. Afterwards he searched Boucher's house and found two bottles, each containing a pint and a half of whisky. After his apprehension York told him that he guard of the trains, Sheward, had instigated him to commit the robbery. Mr Bentley then asked for a remand till Tuesday, which was granted.
Report in the Worcester Chronicle 6 April 1864.
STEALING WHISKEY AT OLDSWINFORD - William York, 30, labourer, and Daniel Boucher, were charged with having, on the 20th March, at Oldswinford, stolen two galland and a half of whiskey, the property of Edmund Malpas. It appeared that the prisoner York was in the employ of the Railway Company, and stole the whiskey from their premises. The grand jury threw out the bill against Boucher, and York pleaded guilty, and, a previous conviction having been proven against him, he was sentenced to eighteen months' hard labour.
Report from Birmingham Daily Post
Worcester Easter Quarter Session 1864 (31251_A006139-00224)
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