Misused Munitions Pass: Two Men Fined at Ker Street: William Pinsent, 7 Albert Terrace, Old Laira, Plymouth was charged before Mr. W, J. Moon (in the chair) and Mr. J. Jolliffe at Ker Street Police Court today with allowing William Rowe to have possession of an official permit issued for his (Pinsent’s) use only, contrary to the Regulations made under the defence of the Realm Act and with entering the munition store, a local munitions works, and not having with him a written permit issued to him by the proper authority. William Rowe, 121, Grenville Road, Plymouth was charged with having in his possession without lawful authority an official permit issued for the use of some person other than himself, namely William Pinsent, and with unlawfully entering a munitions store and not having with him a written permit issued to him by the proper authority. Both pleaded guilty. Mr. K. Eyton Peck appeared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and pointed out that the facts were simple. Pinsent at the time of the offence was a man in the employ of the Munition Ministry working at the munitions works. That enabled him, on leaving his work, to hand his pass to Rowe. With that pass Rowe presented himself at the place. They did not say there was any criminal intent on the part of either man. Pinsent thought he would do Rowe “a good turn” and lent him his pass. Detective Inspector Wyborn, Metropolitan Police produced the authority to prosecute issued by the Public Prosecutor and the copy of the order issued for the use of munitions factories. Edward James Dingle, assistant store officer, stated that Rowe had not been employed a t the factory at any time. Pinsent was the man to whom the permit was issued. Acting-sergt. W. Taylor, Metropolitan Police, said he saw Rowe at the main gate on the 24th. Seeing he was a stranger, the witness asked his business, and Rowe replied that he had called to see Mr. Dingle. Asked if he had a pass, Rowe produced a pass in the name of W. Pinsent. Witness asked him where he got the pass and Rowe answered that Mr. Pinsent, a friend of his, gave it to him. Next day he (Witness) saw Pinsent and asked him for his pass. He replied he had not got it. Witness told him of his interview the previous day and Pinsent replied, “I see I have done wrong; I gave my pass to Rowe as an act of Kindness to come here.” Mr. Peck asked the magistrates to express their strong condemnation of such an act. The Magistrates’ Clerk (to Rowe): What made you go there? Rowe: “Being a bit quiet in the tailoring, I thought I would try something else.” “Were you going to work at munitions?” – “Yes, if I could get in.” Pinsent “I was endeavouring to put a bit of bread and butter on his table. My intention was to get him in touch first with mister Dingle.” The Magistrates’ Clerk: “When he got to Mr. Dingle he got into the lion’s mouth.” Defendants were fined 20s for each offence.
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