In Skegness a harsh sentence was imposed on a chambermaid accused of stealing a leather toilet set. This kind of penal servitude was abolished in England and Wales in 1948.
“Chambermaid’s Theft
PRISON FOR STEALING TOILET SET.
Before the Skegness Bench, on Tuesday, Elizabeth Tolliday (51), of Grantham, pleaded not guilty to the larceny of a toilet set in leather case, value 30s., the property of Annie Hilda Watson, of Skegness.
Mrs. Watson stated that she was the proprietress of the Tower Cafe, and accused had been in her employ since April last as a chambermaid, In October of last year witness went away for a holiday, leaving the case in her bedroom, and when subsequently she asked accused if she knew the whereabouts of the article she made no reply. On the 24th inst. witness saw the case in a box in accused’s bedroom. She exclaimed, “that’s mine, Mrs. Tolliday,” and the latter replied, “Yes, Madam I bought it here to clean.” Witness gave her no authority to take the case from her bedroom.
Insp. Corden said accused was well known to the Grantham Police. Her husband was a labourer at Grantham, but accused had not lived with him for some time. She had had a number of good situations, and in every instance her employer gave her a splendid testimonial, but drink had been her downfall. She had served several terms of imprisonment.
Sobbing bitterly, accused declared that she had been punished for what she had done, and had since gone straight. She was entirely innocent of stealing the toilet set.
A sentence of two months’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed.”
The Stamford Mercury, 29th April, 1927.