South Yorkshire Times March 30, 1928

Stolen Suiting
Pilfered from the Pedlar

John T Hemsworth Stevenson, a Highgate miner was charged at Doncaster on Tuesday with having stolen a suit length, valued at 10/6 from John Bennett, Doncaster, a pedlar.

Bennett stated that on March 24 he went to the Buxton Arms, Goldthorpe, offering several suit lengths for sale.

Stevenson asked witness to let him have a look at one, backed to the door and disappeared.

Stevenson said that Bennett went into the hotel and said: “I cannot sell these and so I am going to give them away,” and put a length on Stevenson’s arm.

There were 31 previous convictions against Stevenson.

Stevenson said the convictions were the result of drink.

The Chairman (Mr F Ogley) said it was a shocking record, and Stevenson would have to go to prison for six months.