Alleged Theft at Conisboro’.

Alleged Theft at Conisboro’.

John Saxton, an aged man, was charged on warrant with stealing a suit, the property of Harry Glasbey, farm servant, in the employ of Mr. Appleyard, Conisboro’, on the 9th February this year.

Prosecutor stated that he went to bed on the 8th of February as usual, and on waking up at five o’clock on the following morning he saw the prisoner, who was leaving Mr. Appleyard’s employ that day, going out of his room carrying a brown paper parcel. Prisoner had been sleeping with witness during his three weeks’ engagement with Mr. Appleyard, so his suspicions were not aroused. He had seen his suit safe in his box on the previous night. On the Sunday when he went to his box to get his suit, which he valued at 20s., he found that it was missing. Witness had a warrant taken out for prisoner’s arrest. On Thursday, the 28th ult., he met the prisoner at Brampton-en-le-Morthen, and gave him into custody.

Mr. Ernest Appleyard spoke to paying the prisoner up on the morning of the 9th February in the saddle-room, and he then had a brown paper parcel with him.

P.C. Duffin spoke to receiving the prisoner into custody from the Rotherham West Riding police, and on charging him with stealing the suit he replied, “I know nothing about it. I have only had one grey suit for thirty years.”

Prisoner strenuously denied the charge, and said some of the other men who had been employed at the farm must have taken it.

The Chairman said that the Bench thought there was not sufficient evidence to convict, and the case would accordingly be dismissed.