100-YEARS-AGO: THE SALFORD CRIPPLE WHO GAVE POLICE A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY

Salford Docks was an amazing place, I can remember as a youngster going to Old Trafford cutting through Mode Wheel Locks over the Ship Canal, past the Dry Docks and marvelling at the ocean going boats lined up in the docks.

As we know the docks finally closed in 1982 with the loss of 3,000 jobs, a hammer blow to the to the local economy and workforce.

At one time nearly every family in Salford had s family member employed there or at least knew somebody employed there, such was it's size.

As can be expected with all the goods being transported through the docks, it was often the case that certain goods were often "mislaid" to put it politely, we have to remember that that the surrounding area was one of the poorest in Salford, I can't frown upon the the actions of a dock worker who would take food home to feed his family.

This tale from January 1920 tells just such a story and I do have to admit feeling sorry for this poor chap.

John Kelly 32, described as being, "a crippled dock labourer" appeared at Salford Magistrates Court charged with being in Unlawful Possession of a tin of jam, 18 pounds of sugar and two packets of grape nuts, alleged to have been stolen from Salford Docks and assaulting Sergeant Rowlands of the Dock Police.

The full story unfolded before the Stipendiary Magistrate and Court officials.

Sgt Rowlands told the court that he saw Kelly acting suspiciously and asked him what was in his pockets, instead of replying, "my hands", an old joke" he produced a two pound tin of jam which he said he had bought outside the docks earlier.

When questioned as to which shop he had purchased it from, Kelly rather cheekily replied,

"That's for you to find out"

In my some what limited experience I have found that sarcasm and wit don't go down to well with the Salford Police and I should imagine it was the case then.

Sgt Rowlands collared Kelly and proceeded to drag him to the Docks Police Office.

He then said that Kelly became violent, tripped him up and kicked him as he lay on the floor, undeterred he got up and gave chase, Kelly ducked underneath some railway wagons and once again tripped him up and started fighting again.

I have to sat Kelly was a very nimble, "cripple" outrunning the Sergeant and ripping him up twice.

More police were summoned and he was dragged out from underneath the wagons taken into police custody and charged with the offences.

Inspector Carrol tool the stand  and said he saw both men fighting together on the floor, adding that "they were both exhausted and looked like chimney sweeps"

A search was made of Kelly's house in nearby Howard Street were the sugar and grape nuts were found.

Defending Kelly was a Mr F. Lewis-Jones who asked Sgt Rowlands if it was true he pushed Kelly to the floor because he wasn't walking fast enough,which was obviously denied.

The Stipendiary heard all the evidence such as it was and sentenced Kelly to prison for seven days for the theft and one months imprisonment with hard labour for police assault.

On a more humane note he said there was no evidence that the sugar and grape nuts found in Kelly's house was stolen and ordered them to be returned to him.

A strange and sad case because Kelly once released from prison would never again be able to work at the docks and as a cripple would find it hard to find suitable employment.