THE wrong trousers meant a month in chokey for Ledbury man Edwin Davies when he appeared in front of Malvern magistrates 100 years ago, according to the Gazette.
"Davies, an engine driver, was charged with stealing a pair of trousers, a pair of woolen pants, and a cotton shirt, the property of William Barnes.
"Prosecutor said he was a labourer in the employ of Mr C F Butcher, traction engine proprietor. He had been living for some days in a van belonging to his employer at Messrs Broad's quarry, the Wyche.
"On Saturday, the clothing was in a cupboard in the van, when he left Malvern to go to his home in Cirencester for the week-end. Prisoner had been working with him and had lived in the van.
"At 6.30 on Monday morning, witness returned and noticed that a pair of trousers, a pair of woolen pants, and a cotton shirt were missing. The value of the articles was 16s 6d.
"PC Lloyd stated that he arrested prisoner about a mile out of Ledbury on the Bosbury road. He was wearing all the stolen property, and when charged, he admitted that the clothing belonged to Barnes. He said he intended to send them back to him by post, and added that Barnes had promised to lend him the trousers. Prosecutor denied that he had given prisoner permission to wear the trousers.
"Davies pleaded guilty. He had been drinking and as he wanted to slip down to Ledbury, he slipped on prosecutor's clothes, as he they were a little better than his own. Prisoner was sent to Worcester for a month with hard labour."
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