Kindness Rewarded at Conisborough

A meek -looking or woman, named Elizabeth Lawrence, married of Darfield, was charged in custody with having stolen a woollen shirt and a towel at Conisborough, the property of Henry Chapman on 12 April.

Ann Chapman, wife of Henry Chapman, a glass hand and residing with him at Rock Terrace, Conisborough, said last Wednesday night the prisoner called at his house about 10 o’clock asking she could sleep on the sofa that night. Witness had known her only few months only by sight. She allowed her to stay, informing her that her husband (witnesses) would be home about 1.30 in the morning, and if he gave his consent she could stay for the night. When her husband came home he gave his consent, and they retired about 2 o’clock.

There was a clothes horse in the kitchen, upon which was home a shirt and a towel. Witness rose at 7.30 in the morning, but the prisoner had gone, and the back door was open. The articles mentioned had gone. She valued them at five shillings.

Thomas Ambler, a pawnbroker’s assistant, of New Conisborough, employed by Mr H.H.Wray, said the prisoner came into the shop about 9 o’clock on Thursday morning, and offered a shirt and towel in pledge, asking 1/3 on them, stating there were own and giving the name of Elizabeth Pogmore, of Marr Street. He advanced her 1/3 on them.

PC Thompson said he apprehended the prisoner last Thursday in Station Road Wombwell. In reply to the charge she said, “All right, thank you.” He had visited her house, which appeared to be respectable. Her husband was a miner out of work, and the prisoner had been away from her home in Snape Hill Darfield for a month.

The prisoner, who pleaded guilty said she was very sorry for what she had done, and the Chairman said it was a very sad event. These people are taken her in out of kindness, and had given her a nights lodging, as she rewarded them by stealing these goods. There were two previous convictions against for the same thing besides other minor offences.

They could not let off with a fine this time, and on this occasion she would have to go to prison in the Second Division for two calendar months.