Alleged Theft At Denaby

Thos. Price, of Denaby, was charged on remand with stealing a pair of trousers, a waistcoat, a handkerchief, and a pair of clogs, the property of Ann Cocksidge, of Denaby.

Ann Cocksidge said she was a married woman. Her husband was not dead. She was separated from him; he had married again.

By Mr. Rhodes: What, married again?—Witness: Yes.

Mr. Rhodes: How was he separated from you; by magistrates’ order?—Witness: Yes, three years ago.

Mr. Rhodes: Are you sure he is married?—Witness: Yes.

Mr. Rhodes: I don’t know whether he knows it, but it is bigamy.

Continuing, witness said prisoner had been lodging with her for six weeks, and left some days ago. When he had gone she missed a pair of trousers, a waistcoat, silk handkerchief, and clogs. She went to Rotherham to get a warrant, and when there on Wednesday week saw prisoner, and he promised to bring the things back on Thursday. He had not brought the things back.

Prisoner: How could I when I was locked up?

Witness, in cross-examination by prisoner, said he still owed her 24s. for the last week’s board and lodging of himself and a boy he brought with him.

Prisoner endeavoured to prove by the payments he had made to the prosecutrix that he had paid her for the goods alleged to be stolen; but the prosecutrix, after answering some questions as to cash, said, “It’s all very well, but you haven’t paid me for the goods, and you owe me 21s. You have served so many people out like that, and I’m not going to be done. He had not told her he would sign a note to Mr. Boar that all he owed should be stopped from his wages at twice.”

Prisoner: Well, I’m a Dutchman.

Prosecutrix: You are, and a bad one. (Laughter.)

Wm. Cocksidge said the things stolen were his. Prisoner had worn the clogs ever since he (witness) bought them except on two occasions. Prisoner had also been wearing the silk handkerchief at least a week.

Prisoner, a comical young fellow, conducted his own case like a barrister. He was smiling continually, and he talked to the witnesses in the most friendly manner, and the way he and Wm. Cocksidge spoke to each other caused smiles from the bench.

P.S. Midgley said he had apprehended prisoner, and he said he had stolen nothing. Afterwards he said he had done wrong in pawning the waistcoat, and that was all he had done. He wanted to see the prosecutrix, but had not been allowed. He said he was going to pay her all he owed her. He also said he pawned the waistcoat at the bottom pawnshop at Mexborough, but that was untrue, and the lodgings he said he was living at in Mexborough could not be found.

Prisoner was committed for trial to the Quarter Sessions.