Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 03 April 1903
Conisborough Miner Charged with Larceny
in the Doncaster West Riding Police Court on Saturday, before Mr G.B.C.Yarborough, and other magistrates, George Scargill, miner, Burcroft, Conisborough, was brought up on an adjourned summons, from the previous day, charged with having stolen 8 ½ d, from the person of Joseph Frataroh, an Italian organ grinder of Doncaster.
Mr Muir Wilson, of Sheffield, appeared for the defendant.
According to prosecuting evidence, it appeared that prosecutor was at the urinal of the Red Lion, Conisborough on the 26 inst. when prisoner came in. Prisoner asked witness for some money, and he said he could not give him any, as it was not his. Prisoner put his hand into witnesses waistcoat pocket, and abstracted 8 ½ d from it, and then dealt witness a blow with his fist.
Witness had 2/4 ½ in the pocket, and when he counted it he had only 1/7 ½ . Witness asked for the money back, but prisoner would not give him it. Prisoner left the urinal, and told witness to go home.
Witness’s brother John, was at the front of the inn playing the organ. Witness told his brother what had occurred, and witness’s brother fetched a policeman, and witness accompanied the policeman into the house, and pointed prisoner out to the officer.
PC Duffin deposed that, from what was said to him by the last witness, he went into the Red Lion Inn, Conisborough and prosecutor pointed out the prisoner to him. Witness asked prisoner to come outside, as he wanted to speak to him. Prisoner acceded to the request and witness charged him with stealing 8 ½ d from Joseph Frataroh’s waistcoat pocket. Prisoner replied “He gave me the money, and I hit him in the – – – – lug, and spent the money.” Prisoner was taken into custody, and when searched had 6s upon him.
The first part of the above evidence was given through the agency of Camelo Massarello, who acted as interpreter, but when Mr Muir Wilson, who arrived somewhat late, rose to cross examine prosecutor, he drew some English out of him, and thereafter dispensed with the services of the interpreter.
Mr Wilson contended that the evidence was not reliable, and asked the Bench to dismiss the case saying it was not likely defendant, who had six shillings on him, would have taken just 8 ½ d from the prosecutor’s pocket.
Defendant was committed for trial at the Sessions.