accused

I'm all innocent - what was frequenting? Is it another name for prostitution?

Hi Paul, the term frequenting seems to mean that the offender was caught in circumstances which led the police to suspect that a crime was about to be committed. I've added some more detail above, which should help to clarify things. There's also another example of frequenting here www.flickr.com/photos/twm_news/17284160436/in/album-72157....

Ah gotcha! Like 'casing a joint' as I'd say here. Watching, observing times and seeing what can be taken. I guess they had enough evidence at the time to arrest them.

its eraserhead !

I retouched this photo and made it into something awesome!

"Fatty" Potter? How on earth would he have scored a nickname like that!

I found 9 newspaper stories (from 1926-1932) about this fellow. Here's one: A "CAT" MAN CAUGHT -- HID IN A LIFT SHAFT -- Newcastle. Monday. - Described as "a dangerous man who could climb any wall and get to any house window", James Boyd Potter was at Newcastle today sent to prison for three months for being on enclosed premises. Sergt. Robinson found the accused hiding in a lift shaft in buildings in Bath-lane. "It was a dark night," the accused pleaded, "and the doors were open. What could you expect me to do?" -Hull Daily Mail - Monday 11 October 1926

From a year earlier: APPEAL FOR ANOTHER CHANCE -- Man Who Did Not Pretend To Be an Angel. Pleading guilty at Newcastle to two charges of theft from warehouses in which goods valued at £50 15s 9d were involved, James Boyd Potter (25), of no fixed abode, against whom was a long list of previous convictions, appealed to the the Bench for another chance. "I don't want you to think I am an angel," he said. "I have a bad record, but I came out of prison four months ago, after a sentence of eighteen months, determined to do what was right. I had not a penny and could not get work. I am willing to do anything. I have had no assistance from the parish or the "dole." Give me another chance, and if I come back you can send me to prison for as long as you like. Prison has no effect on me." Mr. C.J. Dymond (chairman) said it was difficult to know what to do with a man with a record like accused. However, they decided not to send him for trial. He would have to go to prison for twelve months. "Twelve months! And I will come out without a penny!" exclaimed accused as he went below to the cells. Dundee Evening Telegraph - Friday 13 November 1925

That's a family name (and first name but not the same - perhaps her mother!) I recognise. Local to the New Hartley and Seaton Delaval areas. I wonder if they're the same?

I had a notion that Marg Lead better

was in BBC comedy "The Good Life"?

Howard Dickins Yes there's that one too. When I was young these things didn't 'click' in my head - you simply called folk their names! Haha in later years Roger Bannister was a security guard at the warehouse I worked at! He didn't run much - he sat at a desk mostly. I guess his running days were over.. He was so sick of the jokes though - I can still see his grumpy face when folk did them.

12 years of age......wow. Such a start. Great series of photos.