From The Cumberland Pacquet, Thursday. January 30, 1902 - Police Court posted with permission of the transcriber, Diane Moore. Geo. ********** LOCAL POLICE COURTS. ____ WHITEHAVEN. ____ MONDAY, JANUARY 27. Before W. H. KITCHIN (presiding), and T. MACHELL, Esqs. FOWL STEALING AT MOOR ROW. _____ THE PRISONER'S CONFESSION. William CREAR, 17, labourer, Scalegill, was charged with stealing one cock and two hens at Moor Row between 8 p.m. on the 25th and 9 a.m. on the 26th January, the property of John BLAIR, farmer, Moor Row. John BLAIR said yesterday morning he went to his fowl -house about half-past nine and found that the staple of the lock had been drawn. He missed three hens and a cock. They were of no special breed. He valued the lot at two shillings each. He knew the prisoner. He had never worked for witness and he had no business about the premises. He recognised the bird produced as one of the four he had missed. P.C. WALKER said from information received he made inquiries and went to the prisoner's mother's house, at Scalegill, on Sunday morning, about eleven o'clock. He found a quantity of fea- thers in a tin in a pantry and the hen produced under a mattress in a back room bed. He took the prisoner into custody and charged him with the offence. In reply to the charge he said "I know nothing about it." On the way to the Police Station he said "I'll tell you the truth. About two o'clock this morning I went to Blair's hen-house. I drew the staple, killed a yellow cock and two black hens and brought them home. My sister and I pulled the cock, cooked it, in the oven and ate it." Mr. BROCKBANK: How did they manage to cook it at that time in the morning? Witness: In the oven. Mr. BROCKBANK: Did he say that? Witness: Yes, sir. The prisoner further said: "We burned all the bones and most of the fea- thers. The feathers you got in the pantry in the tin were feathers that were left. I don't know what has come of the other hen. I put the two hens in the bed." The Chairman: Is the prisoner's father living? Witness said prisoner's father was a collier and working at Newcastle, having been away for some time. Mr. BROCKBANK: Where do you work? Prisoner: No spot. I worked at Croft Pit last. Witness, in answer to Mr. BROCKBANK, said the prisoner's father sent a little money home, but they were very badly off. Prisoner did not try to work. He simply "loafed" about. In fact, one never saw him until it was dark. Prisoner last worked for Mr. HARTLEY, farmer. Mr. MACHELL: How have they been living, thieving? Mr. BROCKBANK: satisfying a taste for poultry, sir. (Laughter). Witness: It is quite evident they have. Supt. KELLY said some poultry had been missed before in the neighbourhood. The Bench fined the prisoner 20s, with the alternative of 14 days with hard labour. **********