South Shields Hebrew Congregation South Shields, South Tyneside, Tyne & Wear

From the Jewish Chronicle, 1st November 1872

"CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES. - At the South Shields Police Court, Henry Vandyke, a hawker, was charged on remand with obtaining a watch and albert, value £16. from Henry Summerfield, outfitter.   Mr Purvis asked prosecutor, who is a Jew, if he would sign his name to the depositions, and he firmly refused, it being a Jewish Holyday. - Alderman Glover explained that the prisoner would be discharged, unless legally proved guilty, but prosecutor persisted in his refusal. - On the application of Mr. Richardson, prisoner was thereupon discharged.  Some time after Mr. Summerfield applied for a warrant, explaining that he was now ready to sign his name, not having liked to do so on the previous occasion, when Mr. Aaron Simon, one of the witnesses in the case, had also refused to sign. - The Bench, on the advice of Mr. Purvis, refused to grant a warrant.  In addition to the loss of the watch, Mr. Summerfield has had to pay the expenses of a detective's journey to Liverpool, and the costs of the court."

South Shields Congregation