A Sewing Machine Transaction

A Miner Sent to Gaol

Joseph Henry Shipley, miner, of Sheffield, was brought up in custody, charged on remand from the previous Saturday, at the instance of the Singer Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company, with having obtained a sewing machine by false pretences.

Mr. W. Baddiley, who appeared to prosecute, in the course of his opening statement, said that on January 30th last, the prisoner was residing at 4, Queen Street, Hickleton, when he entered into an agreement with the prosecutors to purchase a sewing machine, value £10 7s. 6d. The prisoner signed the agreement, and subscribed his name as Joseph Sheppard.

Afterwards prisoner left Hickleton, and next was heard of he was at Denaby, where he passed under the name of Whitaker, and where he disposed of the sewing machine for £2, although he had paid only 5s. for it to the prosecutors.

Subsequently prisoner went to Chesterfield, and there gave himself up to the police.

Evidence for the prosecution was given by Thomas Bainbridge, agent of the prosecutors at Mexboro’; John Moore, miner, of Braithwell Street, New Conisboro’, the latter stating that to whom prisoner sold the sewing machine, and to whom he declared that it was his absolute property; and P.c. Lockwood.

In reply to the Chairman, defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, and was committed to Wakefield for one calendar month, with hard labour.

The Bench also granted an order for restitution against Moore, who purchased the article.