Theft of metal, 1873

THEFT or METAL . — Before Sheriff Hamilton, at the Sheriff Summary Court yesterday, Thomas Coupar, blacksmith , pleaded guilty of theft . Yesterday morning Constable Whitson observing the prisoner entering the train for Edinburgh at West Calder carrying a bag of suspicious appearance, also entered a carriage in the train . As the accused could not give a satisfactory account of the bag, the constable took him into custody when the train arrived in Edinburgh. It was then found that the bag contained 56 Ib. weight of brass and copper , that had been carried off from the works of the East Hermand Oil Company , West Calder. Sentenced to 30 days imprisonment .

The Scotsman - Saturday 22 February 1873

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Theft.—At the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court, on Friday—before Sheriff Hamilton—Thomas Cooper pleaded guilty to having on the 20th or 21st inst. stolen 67 lbs. weight of brass and copper from the works of the Hermand Oil Company at West Calder. It appears that Cooper was at one time employed as an engineman at the works, but owing to the estate of the company being sequestrated he was thrown out employment. A large quantity of brass and copper is lying about the works, and lately pieces have been going amissing. Early on Thursday morning, while Constable Whitson was West Calder Station, the prisoner passed him carrying a bag over his shoulder. Cooper got into a train proceeding to Edinburgh, and the constable, being suspicious as to the contents of the bag, jumped into another carriage. When the train arrived at West Princes Street Station, Whitson seized the bag, and on opening found large quantity of the missing material. He immediately took Cooper in charge, and brought him to the headquarters of the County Police, and there he was summarily handed over to the Sheriff for trial. Sheriff Hamilton sentenced Cooper to thirty days' imprisonment.

Falkirk Herald - Thursday 27 February 1873