Prison for Scrumping Miner

Another press clipping- this one was under news of Aylesham’s fetes and women's institutes, (with an advert for R.Woods camping equipment next to it!- poor Reggie)

Out of the stories I have this is the story that reached the national press, and is still remembered.(Reggie’s story is remembered only as a father killing his son- an intriguing version) A local historian told me that the word of mouth story passed to him was that an Aylesham miner got 6 months for stealing an apple- as you can see the original story was reported differently. Please remember that miners would argue that the Express was prejudiced against them- but it’s the only source I have at present. Also it’s clear that is a tumultuous week for Aylesham- something’s up. The apple stealing appeal will reach the Home Secretary. More to come-


From Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 16 August, 1929

PRISON FOR MINER- At the Dover County Sessions yesterday, Arthur Kinsley, pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of growing apples from an orchard at Nonington, on the 11th August, valued at a shilling the property of Arthur Thomas Steed.-Sidney Frederick Hillier,, a farmhand to Mr. A.T. Steed, of Ratling Court, said that at 9pm on the 11th August, he saw 4 persons stealing apples in the orchard, and he caught the defendant. The others ran way. Mr. Steed took him to Sandwich and gave him in charge. The apples produced were found on the prisoner. Lane said there had been nothing against the defendant, but farmers in the district had suffered considerable damage by theft and other willful damage. Defendant had only been in the district about three weeks-Defendant was sentenced to prison for 14 days.