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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 23 Jul 1938
Page 3 Column 2
STOLE FROM THREE CARS
TAUNTON MAN BOUND OVER
NORTH CURRY LADY MISSES HER HANDBAG
A Taunton father, who was stated to be on the means test, was placed on probation for two years by the borough magistrates on Wednesday for three thefts from motor-cars.
Accused, who pleaded guilty in the three cases, was Frederick John POOLE (27), a labourer, of 9, Lyngford-place, Taunton. He was charged with stealing a handbag and various articles, value £4, 7s 6d, belonging to Mrs. Rose Mary RYAN, of North Curry, on June 20th; stealing a folding camera value £1 belonging to a person unknown on June 10th; and stealing a pair of binoculars, value £2, the property of Mr. P. T. VOWLES, on July 6th.
SOLD TO BULLION BUYER.
Inspector WHITTLE stated that at 6.45 p.m. on June 20th Mrs. RYAN, of North Curry, left her car in the lane near the tennis courts at Vivary Park. In the car was a handbag containing a silver cigarette case, a powder compact, a motor-driving licence and a number of visiting cards. When Mrs. RYAN returned at 7.45 p.m. the handbag was missing, and she reported her loss to the police.
Detective Constable LONG interviewed defendant, and he admitted stealing the cigarette case and powder compact. They were recovered from a bullion buyer, to whom defendant had sold them about three weeks previously. The constable recovered the handbag at defendant's home. Defendant had said that he threw the bag away in Ash Meadows.
OWNER NOT TRACED.
Detective Constable LONG called on Mr. COX, a photographer, of Station-road, who produced a camera, and said he had bought it two or three weeks before from a man answering defendant's description. Defendant admitted he had sold the camera to Mr. COX for 7s. He told the constable he had stolen it from a car, the owner of which had not been traced.
With regard to the binoculars, Mr. P. T. VOWLES, who was employed at the County Hall, Taunton, left his car at the Mount-street entrance to Vivary Park while he played tennis. On his return the binoculars were missing. After being cautioned by Detective Sergeant CHINN, defendant went to his front room and took the glasses from the cupboard. His reply to the charge was “I just took them to try to sell them.”
A GOOD CHARACTER.
Inspector WHITTLE added that on June 11th, 1932, defendant was charged jointly with another person with stealing under-wood valued 1s, and was bound over for 12 months. He was 27 and married, with two young children. He was unemployed, and on the means test. His previous employers gave him a good character.
The Bench presided over by the Major (Dr. A. J. H. ILES), gave their decision as stated.