Name: John O’Brien Arrested for: Larceny Arrested at: North Shields Police Station Arrested on: 23rd May 1903 Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-19-John O Brien The Shields Gazette for 23 May 1903 reports: "At the North Shields Police Court this morning John O'Brien and James McGlynn, both firemen, were charged with stealing a silver watch valued 30s from the person of Charles Petersen at a boarding house in Duke Street on the 16th inst. John Fitzgerald a boarding house keeper, stated the prosecutor, who lived with him, was now at sea. On the night in question Petersen was lying sleep on one of the couches, and at 11.30 when witness aroused him to go to bed he noticed that his watch was missing. The two defendants were also boarders in his house at the time. The watch produced was Petersen's and worth 30s. Jane Smith stated that O'Brien went to her when she was in the Ship Inn and asked her to pawn the watch for him. She took it to Fisher's where she got 5s advanced for it. The two defendants went to her house on the Sunday afternoon and got the money and ticket. Walton Atkinson, manager for Mr Fisher, deposed to taking the watch in pledge from last witness. She said it belonged to a young man who lodged next door to her. O'Brien afterwards went to the shop and asked for the watch as it belonged to him. Detective Thornton deposed to taking the two defendants into custody. O'Brien admitted taking the watch but McGlynn denied all knowledge of the offence. O'Brien as fined 20s and costs or one month and McGlynn was dismissed". The Shields Daily News for 6 June 1906 reports: "THROWING MONEY AWAY. At North Shields Police Court today, John O'Brien, an Irish fireman, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on the Penny Ferry landing at 6.45 pm yesterday. A bridgeman at the ferry stated that the man came to the landing in a drunken condition. He had just been paid off from a ship and had a lot of money in his possession, which he started throwing about. Witness picked it up for him once or twice, and because he would not take £4 for his fare on the boat he threw himself into a fighting attitude and he had to be taken into custody. Mr A. O. Carr (Chairman) : "It is very well for you that the police took care of you". Prisoner: "Yes I am very thankful to them". He was fined 5s and costs." These images are a selection from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 in the collection of Tyne & Wear Archives (TWA ref DX1388/1). (Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email [email protected].