The unnamed Magistrate and his two colleagues tried Ena Sharples on a charge of the theft of two tins of salmon (priced at 4/6 each) from the Pick-a-Snip Supermarket in April 1966. The Magistrate was confused that her address was also her place of work and snapped at her when she refused to give her age to the Magistrate's Clerk. After Ena admitted that she was 66, the Magistrate told her that she had the choice or trial before them or the Crown Court. Ena chose trial before him and his colleagues and declared that she was not guilty.