On This Day, 10 December 1917

Birmingham Mail

Monday 10 December 1917

BIRMINGHAM HOUSEBREAKING CHARGE.

WOMAN’S PLUCKY CONDUCT

In the Second Court of Birmingham Police, today, John Richard Linden (32), stoker, 1, Sampson Road North; Mark Brown (38), brasscaster, 5, back 26, Great Barr Street; and William Nicholls (40), 2, back 24, Lower Trinity Street, were remanded for eight days on a charge of being concerned together in breaking into the dwelling-house of Matilda Higgins, 9, Trinity Terrace, between 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on December 5.

Detective Draisey stated that Mrs. Higgins’ mother saw Linden at the back of her daughter’s house coming away with a clock, of the value of £5. The woman caught hold of him and there was a severe struggle. The man knocked her down several times and eventually got clear away, despite the woman’s plucky efforts to detain him. The other men were seen in an adjoining entry. All were arrested last Saturday, and had been identified by several persons, who saw them near the house.

Mr. A. Hall-Wright, who appeared for Linden and Brown, said all three men emphatically denied the charge, and the people who identified them must be absolutely mistaken.