Incorrigible Fruit Thief

Herman Grigolet was described as an incorrigible fruit thief in February 1905.

The crime
Grigolet was caught stealing fruit from the garden of Thomas Edward Greenhalgh: POLICE COURTS. CITY COURT. AN INCORRIGIBLE. Thursday, 16th February. Before Messrs Acheson and Falla, J’s.P. A lad named Herman Grigolet was presented on a charge of stealing fruit from the garden of Thomas E. Greenhalgh, residing in Raglan street. The evidence showed that on Wednesday morning at 9.30, Greenhalgh went into his garden and caught the boy up a tree. He had inside his knickers a quantity of apples and plums, and the bottoms of his trouser legs were tied, thus turning into pockets. There was a basket on the ground.

Constable Serpell deposed to the boy having been brought to the police station by Greenhalgh, who had frequently complained previously of depredations by boys on his garden. The boy, on being asked if he had any defence to make, stated that his sister had told him that the man had said he could take as much fruit as he liked so long as he did not injure the trees. Mr Greenhalgh denied having given anyone permission to take fruit. Sergeant Daly stated that the boy had been in trouble only a week ago, and had been bound over on his father’s recognisances, which should properly be entreated. Mr Grigolet said that he was a miner. He earned £2 15s per fortnight, and had eight children to keep. The bench decided to send the boy to the Reformatory, but under the circumstances did not make on order against the parents.