Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 21 February 1914
Denaby Pony Driver Charged
A young Denaby youth, a pony driver, Geo. Cummings, was charged in custody with having stolen 22/9 belonging to Harry Hatton, another driver, with whom he worked in the Denaby mine.
P.c. Rushton said the previous day he received a complaint from a clerk in the time office of the Denaby Pit that a pay-check had been stolen in the pit, and another person’s wages obtained with it on Saturday. Witness made inquiries, and went to the prisoner’s lodgings, and when he questioned him as to the money he had drawn he said his wages were 12s., and he further said he gave it to his landlady, receiving a shilling for pocket money. Witness asked him how much money he had in his possession, and he replied that he had nothing, having spent it all. Witness searched him, and in his trousers’ pockets found a sovereign and 2½d. As he could give no satisfactory explanation, he took him to Conisboro’ police station, where he charged him with stealing £1 2s. 9d., and he replied, “I am guilty.”
Proceeding, the officer said he and Hatton worked together in the Denaby Pit, and hung their clothes up near each other. During the morning, Hatton, he understood, trapped his fingers, and had to leave to have them dressed. It was thought that in his absence the prisoner abstracted the pay check, and later drew his money. The prisoner had been living at Denaby about eight weeks, and his landlady did not give him a very good character.
Prisoner, who had nothing to say, was remanded until Saturday.