Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 31 March 1893
A Butcher’s Freak
Nellie Acaster, wife of Willie Acaster, tailor, Charles street, Swinton, summoned George Goodlad, butcher, Conisborough, for stealing a pair of reins and a bridle.
Mrs. Acaster said that on Thursday, the 16th inst about 4 p.m , he came to her house and walked in without knocking at the door. He was drunk and staggering. He asked if her husband was in, and she said he was at Barnsley. He went to her near the sink and got hold of her round the waist. She escaped from him and told him to take his hands off and keep a distance. He asked her if she would have a glass of risky, and she said No “! He asked her to lent him 6s., and she refused, as she also refused to lend him 3s. He then went round the house and took down the bridle and reins and shop them away with hint, though she ‘ told him if he did he would get into trouble.
Cross-examined she did not know the man.
Willie Acaster said that on the 16th went out at ten minutes to one and did not return till 20 minutes to 9. He found his wife ill on the couch and she spoke about defendant having been at the house. He went and saw Police-constable worth and they both went to Conisborough to defendant’s house. Defendant was in bed, and his wife said the doctor had been attending him, as he had fallen out of the trap when drunk. His wife gave the bridle and reins back to Police-constable Shuttleworth. He had not given defendant permission to take the bridle and reins.
Police constable Shuttleworth corroborated the last witness, The things were given up at once when asked for. Defendant had been a butcher in Conisborough for many years.
The Bench did not consider there had been any felonious intent and allowed the case to be withdrawn, defendant to pay the costs.