South Yorkshire Times May 17, 1958

Conisbrough Man’s Lapse
Lent Money That Was Not His

“People who handle money that doesn’t belong to them should be careful,” said Mr. F. S.  Newborn, chairman at Doncaster West Riding Court on Friday.

For magistrates had just been told how Herbert Constantine (57) miner, of Prior Road, Conisbrough, had lent money to friends to help, and that the money he lent was not his. Constantine pleaded guilty to seven offences of fraudulently converting to his own use a total of £51 10s., the property of the Cadeby Main N.U.M. Secretary’s Fund.

He was fined a total of £7 and given 14 days in which to pay, and the magistrates ordered that he made good the £51 10s. within seven days. Chief Supt. L. D. Lewrey, prosecuting, told the court that the offences occurred between June, 1953, and June, 1954.

“In August, 1952, Constantine was appointed Hon. Treasurer of the Cadeby Main N.U.M. Secretary’s Fund for which he received £10 a year,” said the Superintendent.

“It was the accused’s job to pay the secretary and other expenses, and deposit the remainder in a bank account in his own name. The accused had to be asked to produce his accounts for inspection on three or four occasions before he finally did so, and it was then that the offences came to light.

“There was only 16s. 3d. in the account when in fact there should have been £291 6s. 3d.—the books were badly kept and owing to the state of them these seven offences are the only ones that can be proved” stated Supt. Lewrey.

“Previous to this,” he added, “Constantine, was a man of excellent character.”

In court Constantine said “I’ve got into this state of affairs through trying to help people out and lend them money. I’d like to pay the money back. I’ve about £42 in the bank and I can pay the rest during next week.”

The Chairman: “You’ve no business to lend money which doesn’t belong to you. People who handle money that doesn’t belong to them have got to be careful—and you have been careless.”