Fourteen days' hard labour for stealing a DUCK: Fascinating rogues' gallery of First World War criminals reveal just how tough sentences once were
- The offenders were hauled before the North Shields Police Court to answer for crimes such as theft and fraud
- One miner named John Stewart was ordered to do 14 days of hard labour for stealing a duck and a chicken
- Other criminals were caught stealing clothes and selling off Army uniform, as well nicking food and money
During the First World War the people of Britain worked together to defeat the enemy and ensure the survival of our nation.
But not everyone entered into the spirit of King and County, as these fascinating mugshots from Tyne and Wear reveal.
The offenders were hauled before the North Shields Police Court to answer for crimes such as theft and fraud between 1914 and 1918 and their sentences could often be extremely harsh.
Left: John Stewart, a miner, arrested for stealing ducks and hens was sentenced to 14 days in prison with hard labour. Right: Robert Jackson, a hawker, arrested for stealing £5 in a pub. He asked for the chance to join the army but this was rejected and he was sent to prison for six months with hard labour.
One miner named John Stewart was ordered to do 14 days of hard labour for stealing a duck and a chicken from a henhouse when times got hard.
The police officer giving evidence said that witness' suspicions were aroused when they saw him walking with a bulky bag containing the animals.
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When he was arrested, Stewart said: 'All I got was the duck and chicken.'
Other criminals were caught stealing clothes and selling off Army uniform, as well nicking food and money from neighbours.
These images have been chosen for their sharpness and quality by experts at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.
Left: George Fay a 29-year-old soldier was arrested for stealing money from a house and for being absent from the 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was sent to prison for six weeks with hard labour. Right: Matthew M. Lamb, trawler-hand, arrested for breaking and entering
Left: Reginald Stains alias Brown, chief steward, arrested for receiving money under false pretences. Right: Lillian Tibbs, arrested for stealing a dress
Staff visited North Shields Local Studies Library to discover the stories behind the mugshots.
They carefully searched through microfilm copies of the Shields Daily News looking for newspaper reports of the court cases.
Civilians' crimes include theft and fraudulent behaviour, while members of the armed forces were also caught for various misdemeanors.
Soldier Walter Firth, 17, was arrested for pawning military uniform, while another 17-year-old, baby-faced George Walker, was arrested for cashing a forged cheque.
Left: George Walker, soldier, arrested for cashing a forged cheque. Right: Sarah Cuthill, arrested for stealing clothes
Left: John P. Wilson, soldier, arrested for theft with his wife, Mona Wilson, right, on January 21, 1916. The couple had taken 'one bed quilt, foot wrap, flannelette sheet, three blouses and two aprons' valued at 35 shillings from homeowner Jennie Sawyer. He was committed to prison for one month with hard labour and his wife was dismissed
Left: Laurence Armstrong, 21, of the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers was charged with stealing a box of cigarettes. Right: Thomas Henry Miller, 24, stole a brown leather kit bag and contents from the North Shields railway station
Soldier John P. Wilson and his wife Mona were arrested for theft from a dwelling house.
The couple had taken 'one bed quilt, foot wrap, flannelette sheet, three blouses and two aprons'.
A spokesman for the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums said: 'Combining these two separate records gives us a fascinating insight into life on the Home Front during the First World War.
'These images document the lives of people of different ages and backgrounds, both civilians and soldiers. Our purpose here is not to judge them but simply to reflect the realities of their time.'
Left: John Ingleson, 19, was charged with breaking and entering a house and stealing 16 knives, a cruet, clock, pair of scissors, case of needles, silver tray and two salt cellars. He was sentenced to four months imprisonment with hard labour. Right: Soldier Walter Firth, 17, was charged with unlawfully pawning two pairs of men's drawers that belonged to his regiment
James George Chase, 23, a munitions worker, arrested for obtaining money by false pretences. He obtained the sum of £20, with intent to cheat and defraud. Right: Isabella McQue was arrested for stealing a sealskin coat
Left: Jane Ann Teasdale, 21, was charged with obtaining food and lodgings by false pretences with intent to cheat and defraud. Right: Jesse Rudd, arrested for stealing money from a gas meter
Left: Homeless Charles S. Jones, arrested for stealing from clothes lines. He stole two shirts worth two shillings, which were reported missing and a police constable later arrested Jones wearing one of them. Right: Wilhelmina Armstrong, arrested for stealing dresses
Left: Sarah Dowd, arrested for stealing money. Right: Christina Austin 17, was arrested with Wilhelmina Armstrong, above 18, for having stolen two dresses, valued at £1, from a shop. They were detained on July 11, 1916.
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Very hard times,REAL poverty rife but due punishme...
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