... 100 years ago

A dishonest barman John Jones, 18, was charged with stealing a marked shilling and two packets of cigarettes belonging to his master Mr W. T Laws of the Bedford Hotel, Balham.

The money was passed over the counter at a time when the prisoner was the only person at the bar in the bar and the coin was subsequently found in his pocket. A search by Sergeant Cooper in the prisoner's bedroom revealed two packets of cigarettes and £3 in gold. The prisoner was sentenced to 21 days imprisonment with hard labour. November 16, 1901

... 50 years ago

Mrs Annie Johnson, 39, a factory hand of Battersea pleaded guilty at South Western Magistrates' Court to stealing a quantity of nuts worth 21.s and 2d, belonging to her employers, Smith Hughes and Company of Battersea.

A detective said Mrs Johnson was stopped outside the factory gates and some of the nuts were found on her. Others were later found at her house and she admitted the theft. Mrs Johnson, whose husband has been ill for four years and whose little boy had been in hospital for two years, said: "I was going to take them for my little boy." She was given a 12 month conditional discharge. November 16, 1951

... 25 years ago

Simon Knutton, cub scout instructor of the 8th Wandsworth group, was presented with the Scout's Gilt Cross for Gallantry by the county commissioner, Mr Tom Giles, on Saturday.

On April 24, Mr Knutton was waiting with his fellow crewmen from the Emmanuel School second eight at Chiswick Steps to take part in their heat in the Hammersmith Amateur Regatta when it was pointed to them that a child had fallen into the Thames. Mr Knutton dived into the river and rescued the child before returning to his waiting crew members. November 19, 1976

November 16, 2001 13:00