Sarah
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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 28 Jun 1947
Page 7 Column 7
Story of a Saw
Youth Gets Benefit of the Doubt
Albert John Henry OATEN, 17½ years, labourer of 10 Charter-road, Taunton, pleaded not guilty at Taunton on Wednesday to stealing a saw, valued 17s 6d.
Maurice Raymond MATTOCK, architect, 147, East Reach, Taunton, manager of the executors of the late Mr. H. J. SMITH said the saw was missing from a tool chest which was not included in a sale held on May 28th.
Clifford TAYLOR, timber merchant, 20, Bridge-steet Taunton, said he employed OATEN and two other youths to remove articles which he bought at a sale. Defendant told him he had found a saw under a pile of wood he had bought and asked if he could have it. Witness said that he could keep it.
One of the other employees, Clifford George KNIGHT, labourer 17, Monmouth-road, Taunton, said he saw OATEN open the tool chest.
Det.-Con. HYETT repeated OATEN's statement that he took the saw from under Mr. TAYLOR's wood.
The magistrates gave defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the summons. The Chairman, Mr. F. W. PENNY (chairman) remarked, “Even if your story is true we think you should have taken more trouble to find out whether you had any right to the saw.”
<NOTES: Albert John Henry OATEN son of Albert Charles OATEN and Hilda Kathleen BRYANT>