Reading Mercury
Dated 15th December 1917
NEWBURY COUNTY POLICE COURT
Wednesday December 12th (Before R. Beynon Esq.)
ALLEGED THEFT OF PARCEL
Charles James Vallis, described as a munition worker, was charged with the theft of a parcel from the railway station at Midgham on Monday.
Buller Fish, porter at the station, stated that a parcel of boots and slippers, addressed to Mr. F. W. Woodley, of Compton, was put out at Midgham from the 5.23 train. Later in the evening it was missed, and witness saw Vallis with it, open on a seat. He told him it did not belong to him, to which Vallis replied that he knew that. He refused to give it up, and took it with him into the train to Reading. The matter was reported there, and on arrival of the train Vallis was detained.
Detective Inspector Mountjoy, of the G.W.R. Police, said that Vallis admitted taking the parcel, saying he had lost his own, and that he was going to keep it until the latter was found. His parcel was not labelled, and was on the rack in the carriage. Accused now said he was under the influence of drink at the time, and took the parcel in mistake. As soon as he discovered it was not his own, he went to Theale and made inquiries.
The magistrates remanded Vallis until Thursday.
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