Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 08 February 1928

A Useless Cheque
Conisborough Man Sentenced at Southport.

Charles Gething (30), of March Street, Conisborough, near Doncaster, was sentenced to three months’ hard labour at Southport yesterday on a charge of obtaining by false pretences cash and two gold watches, to the total value of £21 17s., from the shop of George Tarbuck, antique dealer, London Street, Southport.

It was stated that on January 7th, accused called at the shop and told the assistant that his name was Albert Smith, of Rawlinson Road, Southport, and that he wanted to buy some furniture. He selected articles worth £190 8s., and tendered to the assistant a cheque for £2OO drawn by Albert Smith in favour of Albert Smith, jun., and also showed him a letter addressed to Albert Smith, jun.

He was given £9 12s. in change, and took away two gold watches asking that the furniture should be sent up later. It was subsequently found that the cheque was not endorsed, and after inquiries were made at the house in Rawlinson Road information was given to the police.

Gething said it was inconceivable that a man would give his name at a house and then go straight away and commit a crime. He admitted that he had made a slip previously, but since that day he had gone straight. When he arrived at his home at Conisborough he surrendered to the police immediately on being told he was wanted.

The Chief Constable said accused was convicted at Barnsley in November last for the theft of £58, and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment. At that time he was wages clerk for a firm, and absconded with the money.