Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 25 January 1941

Relief Fraud

Barnburgh Man Sent To Prison

For making a false representation for the purpose of obtaining an allowance under the Public Assistance Act, Thomas L. Pickering (40) of Barnburgh, was at Doncaster West Riding Court on Tuesday sent to prison for one month.

The charge was one of defrauding the Public Assistance Board, and Mr. W. Crawford, prosecuting for the Ministry of Labour, said the charge covered a period between October 2 and October 16, and the amount involved was £5.

Pickering was working on a farm during the period in which he drew relief, he failed to disclose the fact.

Pickering said he committed the offence because his children were “clemmed.”