Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 27 October 1893
Alleged Larceny at Conisborough.
A married woman named Mary Ann Humphreys, of Conisborough, and a labourer named John Smith, were apprehended a week ago at Leeds, charged with having stolen a quantity of wearing apparel from two labourers at Conisborough.
John Smith, labourer, said he left the lodgings on June 26th, having gone to work at Manchester and several other places. When at the Isle of Man he wrote for two shirts, which he received, and then he wrote for the rest. The answer he received was that they had been taken to the post office and were too heavy. He then wrote to tell them to send the articles by rail, and the answer to this letter was to the effect that defendants were too ill to carry them down. He knew the defendant well because he lodged with him, and he was very respectable then.
William Gibson, the other prosecutor, said he recognised a pair of boots and a shirt as belonging to him.
William Bell, manager of Whitaker’s pawn shop, Mexborough, gave evidence to the effect that the articles had been pawned there by defendants, and he understood they belonged to Gibson and the other lodger at the defendant’s house.
William Dodsworth, detective, said he apprehended prisoners at Leeds on the 5th inst., and charged them with having stolen a quantity of wearing apparel from the two prosecutors during the months of July and August.
In answer to the charge the defendants said they took and pawned the stolen things.
On being taken into a furnished room he found a singlet and shirt belonging to Gibson in the possession of prisoner Smith.
Prisoners were remanded for a week.