Mexborough Times, 17th May, 1878.
Unrequited Hospitality.
Joseph Wall, a youth living at Denaby, was in custody charged with stealing a Silver watch, a belt, a ring, and 10d (4 p), the property of William Henry Smith, Collier, north Staveley, on the first inst.
Mr Peagum prosecuted, and Mr F Parker Rhodes defended.
The prosecutor said that on 30 April the prisoner slept at his father’s house. He was a stranger to him. (Prosecutor) but he (prisoner) had told his father that he was acquainted with some of his relatives, and he therefore took him in.
Prosecutor got up about six o’clock to go to work, leaving a Silver watch on a nail, and also the other articles mentioned. About this time he missed them, and the prisoner was also gone. Subsequently prosecutor went to Sheffield with Sgt Turner, and they found that the watch been pledged at the shop of Mr Wood, Wicker, in the name of “Sam Wall.” It appeared that the prisoner had told his assistant that it was his own watch, that he had had it two years, and that he gave six guineas for it.
Sgt Turner stationed at Swallow nest, said he went to Denaby with the prosecutor on Friday last and apprehended the prisoner. He said he had never pledged the watch and are not stolen it. He was wearing the belt at the time, but he said it had been given to him. The ring was found in his pocket.
The prisoner pleaded guilty and was committed to prison for two months with hard Labour.