Wednesday, 22 March 2017

Unmarried Couple Charged With Falsifying Registration Form



Morgan’s aeroplane works, Leighton Road, Linslade 1917 [Z50/72/195]

Thursday 22nd March 1917: Albert Worthington, a munition worker at Morgan’s in Linslade, has appeared at Court in Luton accused of failing to furnish required information to the keeper of a lodging house in Leighton Buzzard. He was charged along with a single woman, Elsie Cope, who did not appear in court. On February 28th they took lodgings at 32, Hockliffe Street, where the landlady, Mrs. Simmonds, presented them with the usual registration forms. The forms were completed, but with Miss Cope describing herself as “Mrs. Worthington”.

Mr. Worthington stated that he was a discharged soldier, who had been wounded by a gunshot in the chest which affected his heart. As he had filled his registration form correctly, he did not see that he could be charged with making a false statement. Miss Cope failed to appear but Mr. Worthington was prepared to answer on her behalf. The Chairman of the Bench pointed out that it was a serious offence, for which the maximum penalty was £200 or six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. However, in this case the “foolish act” to which Miss Cope had pleaded guilty led only to a fine of ten shillings and five shillings and sixpence costs for each defendant.

Source: Luton News, 22nd March 1917

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