Sent to Prison for Stealing a Watch
At the Southampton Borough Police Court, this morning, before the Mayor (Councillor H. Bowyer, R. N. R.), and other magistrates.
James Thompson, fireman of no fixed abode, was charged with stealing a gold watch, value £8, from the person of Albert Edward Benyon, licensed holder, of the Claredon Tavern, Southampton, in the Hampshire Hotel, yesterday.
Mr. A. J. Rogers, who appeared to prosecute, stated that Mr. Benyon went into the public bar of the Hampshire Hotel to have a drink. He sat down, and the prisoner came up to him. At the same time Mr. Benyon pushed Thompson away, and putting his hand to his pocket he missed his watch, which had not been attached to a chain. The prisoner ran off and a hue and cry was raised. Thompson afterwards handed the watch to a man named Shook, who had stopped him. The watch was handed to the Bench, and Alderman J. Hollis, said it was of rolled gold, and was only of the value of 25s. (Laughter).
The Mayor: On what ship did you last sail?
Thompson: The Titanic.
The Mayor: Are you on the Inquiry?
Chief Inspector Allison: I understand he is getting 6s. 6d. a day to remain in Southampton in case he should be called to give evidence.
The Mayor said that as he had been saved from a disastrous shipwreck Thompson ought now to have kept out of trouble.
Thompson pleaded guilty. There were several conversations against him, and he was committed for one months hard labour.
At the conclusion of the case George Snook a fish hawker, of Canal-walk, was recalled and congratulated by the Mayor for his services in the case. To show their appreciation of his conduct the Bench would give him a donation from the poor box.
