Theft of tomatoes at Waltham Cross

Hertfordshire Mercury, 28th August 1926

Transcript

Clara Walpole (50) , a nursery hand , 1 Eleanor Cross Road , Waltham Cross , was charged with stealing, whilst growing, on August 23 from a nursery at High Street , Waltham Cross , 3lb. of tomatoes value 2s. , the property of her employer, Arthur Matthews , The Nurseries , Waltham Cross . She pleaded guilty .

Detective A. Harman said at 5.30 on Monday evening he saw the prisoner leaving one of the nurseries . Her pockets looked bulky and when he asked her to come to the police station she said ,  ” I will tell you the truth ; I have got some tomatoes and I am one of the unlucky ones. ”

Arthur Matthews , a nurseryman , identified the tomatoes and said the value was 2 shillings.

Prisoner said she had worked in the district for 16 years, and this was the first time she had been in trouble .

Detective Harman said prisoner’s character had been very good up till then.Thefts of tomatoes had been so excessive that a special watch had been kept. Prisoner admitted herself that these were not the only ones she had had.

A fine of 21 shillings or 13 days was imposed .

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