On today’s feature,  Margaret Mills regaled us with the story of a 16-year old boy, who in May 1879 had been caught stealing from his next door neighbour.

Clearly not too bright a lad for making his first foray into crime by going no further than next door, but what makes the story even more sublime is that his defence lawyer tried to suggest that his client had been led astray by reading “inappropriate” material.

Not much of a defence it must be said.

And indeed it didn’t work as his client was sentenced to 4 months hard labour.

Doubt that in those days there’d have been much dubious material to read whilst incarcerated.

Anyway you can listen again to this tale of woe by clicking on the link below: –

See you again next time,
Scott