John Dance, and George White were charged with a misdemeanour in service, on the 17th inst., at Midgham. The accused are farm labourers to Mr. Stephen Tomlinson, of Midgham. Mr. Tomlinson had occasion to go to Reading on the I7th inst., and next morning he found that the window of his cellar, which had been left closed, was partly open, and it appeared that the defendants had got in and helped themselves to beer. Fined 9s. 9d. each, and costs 5s. 3d. each.
Looking at various newspaper items I get the impression that it refers to situations where employees commit an offence against their employer, which possibly was considered an aggravating circumstance. For example:21 November 1868: Reading MercuryQuoteJohn Dance, and George White were charged with a misdemeanour in service, on the 17th inst., at Midgham. The accused are farm labourers to Mr. Stephen Tomlinson, of Midgham. Mr. Tomlinson had occasion to go to Reading on the I7th inst., and next morning he found that the window of his cellar, which had been left closed, was partly open, and it appeared that the defendants had got in and helped themselves to beer. Fined 9s. 9d. each, and costs 5s. 3d. each.
