Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Friday 27 January 1939

Thurnscoe Men Gaoled

Stole Eleven Electric Washing Machines

For stealing eleven electric washing machines, valued £275, Carmi Crannidge Gethln (29), motor lorry driver, of 10, Halsbury Avenue, Thurnscoe, was sent to prison for 12 months at Barnsley, today, and Sam Stead (30), labourer, of 13, Salisbury Avenue. Thurnscoe, was sent to prison for six months.

Thomas W. Saltmer (42), ripper, of 26, Dearne Street, Great Houghton, was sent to prison for six months for stealing and receiving washing machines.

All pleaded guilty.

Superintendent Varley said that Gethin and Stead were offered representatives of a washing machine manufacturing company 10s. commission for each customer they found. They ascertained that a washing machine had been sold to a woman at Grimethorpe, who was in arrears with her payments, took the machine away and sold it for £5. Saltmer obtained machine on the hire-purchase system, and the three of them sold it for £5.