John Percival Smith - Saltley Reformatory Inmate
| No. in Admissions Register: | 896 |
| Age: | 14 |
| Whence received: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Description: | |
| Complexion: | Fresh |
| Hair colour: | Light brown |
| Eyes colour: | Light hazel |
| Height: | 4 ft 4½ ins |
| Particular marks: | Scar on side right ham |
| State of health: | Good |
| Able-bodied? | Yes |
| Date of admission: | 20 December 1888 |
| Late residence: | 32 Winkle Street, West Bromwich |
| Parish he belongs to: | West Bromwich |
| Customary work and mode of life: | None |
| Whether illegitimate: | No |
| State of education: | |
| Reads: | Imperfectly |
| Writes: | Imperfectly |
| Offence: | Stealing postal orders (burglary) |
| Circumstances which may have led to it: | Bad company |
| Date of sentence, by whom and court: | 11 December 1888; Sir W Field; Stafford Assize Court |
| Where imprisoned: | H M Prison Stafford |
| Sentence: | 10 days in prison, 5 years at Saltley |
| Previous committals: | |
| Number: | - |
| Length: | - |
| For what: | - |
| Father's name: | John Smith |
| Occupation: | Carter |
| Mother's name: | Emma Smith |
| Occupation: | - |
| Parents dead? | Mo |
| Survivor married again? | - |
| Parents' treatment of child: | Well treated |
| Character of parents | Good |
| Parents' wages: | 18s per week (3 children dependent upon him) |
| Amount parents agree to pay: | Not assessed |
| Parents address: | 32 Winkle Street, West Bromwich |
| Superintendent of police (to collect payments): | Superintendent J Whitehurst, West Bromwich |
| Person making this return: | Superintendent J Whitehurst, West Bromwich |
| Notes: | |
| 15 September 1888 There is a report of the crime and the preliminary hearing in the Birmingham Daily Post Saturday 15 September 1888 p.7 col.1: IRRECLAIMABLE. - John Percival Smith (14), Winkle Street, Greets Green, was charged with attempting to steal money from a till belonging to his employer, William Lane, butcher. - Superintendent Whitehurst said that the prisoner had been previously charged with burglary, and was committed to the assizes on that charge. He was liberated on bail. but it was subsequently discovered that he had stolen two postal orders. He was then apprehended on that charge, and was committed to the assizes on it. Since he had been on bail he had taken 6s. 6d. from the butcher's shop and attempted to rob it again. The father was responsible for the boy's appearance at the assizes, and would tell the magistrates that he wished to withdraw his recognisances. - The father said that he wished to have the prisoner detained, for no good could be done with him. - Superintendent Whitehurst said that the lad's parents were very respectable people, and the lad himself was very intelligent, having passed the 6th standard before he was twelve. - The father said that the boy could not go out for half an hour without getting into some bother. - Superintendent Whitehurst said that the best course for the Bench to pursue would be, not to go into the charge, but to detain the lad till the assizes, when if necessary the information could be given to the judge. - The Bench adopted this course.13 February 1891 The Medical Officer reported: Deafness | |
| 26 January 1892 The Register of Boys on Licence records that Smith was licensed to go out and work for Messers Roberts, West Bromwich | |
| 19 December 1893 Sentence expired whilst on licence, discharged from Saltley | |
| 9 October 1894 The Reformatory Committee Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |
| 11 December 1894 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |
| 30 April 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |
| 11 June 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |
| 10 December 1895 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |
| 13 October 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |
| 8 December 1896 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |
| 13 December 1898 The Log Book report records receipt of a letter from Smith, West Bromwich | |