Felony at Denaby
Mary Adamson and Mary Elizabeth Smith, of Denaby, were charged with stealing coal, belonging to the M.S. and L. Railway Company, at Denaby, on the 2nd inst.
Inspector Whitworth, on behalf of the company, stated the case to the bench, after which Mr. Jubb said he did not think Mr. Whitworth had any right to open the case, as it was the duty of a solicitor. He might cross-examine if he thought proper.
Inspector Whitworth said he was only following the usual practice.
Police-constable Kendall said that at about 9.30 p.m., on the 2nd inst., he was going towards Mexbro’, and when about half a mile above Denaby crossing he saw the prisoner Adamson picking coal on the railway line.
He asked her what she was doing there, and she replied that she did not know she was doing anything wrong. She had never been there before.
Witness then told her that she had no business there. She had her pocket full of coal, and also a quantity in her apron. He then took her towards the railway station, when Mary Smith came up with her apron full of coal.
Witness told her she had no right there, and he would have to take her as well as the other prisoner. She replied that she was very sorry; she had never been there before picking coal.
He told her it had been educated before by the place layers.
He then took both the prisoners to the Mexbro’ Station.
The coal was worth 8d.
Mr. Cook said he was a ganger in the employ of the company at Mexbro’. He had cautioned the prisoner Smith before for taking coal, on the 22nd of May, as she had a quantity in her possession.
Which witness took from her.
The prisoner Adamson was fined 20s., including costs, and Smith, who had been twice previously convicted, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Sheffield Independent – Tuesday 23 August 1881
Denaby Women in Trouble
Mary Elizabeth Smith and Mary Adamson were charged by Mr. J. W. Whitworth, an inspector of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, with stealing coal from the company’s premises at Denaby on the 22nd inst.
Mr. Whitworth was about to state the case for the prosecution when the Bench objected to him doing so, he not being a solicitor.
Mr. Whitworth said that he was in the habit of stating the cases in which he was concerned at other police courts in his district.
The Bench declined to hear him.
The prisoners were seen by Police-constable Kendall gathering coal upon the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company’s line. One of the prisoners had a bucket full, and the other was gathering coal and placing it in her apron.
The coal was valued at 3d.
The Chairman said that Smith had been twice previously convicted for theft, and she would be committed to prison for one month, without the option of a fine.
Adamson would be fined 20s., including costs.