Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 08 March 1901
Flimsy Charge against a Denaby Youth.
Joseph Duffield, a youth whose parents live at Denaby, was placed in the dock charged with having on 30 February 21, obtained 6s from Richard Dunstan, of Thorne, by false pretences.
Mr S.P. Constable, solicitor, Thorne, appeared for the prosecution.
Mr Dunstan said he was a boat builder, and lived at Thorne. He had not seen the prisoner before February 21, when he came to his house. He said Mr C.D. Clayton of Doncaster, had sent him to take charge of the keel called “Sympathy.” The boat was lying just close to the yard. The prisoner asked him to let him have some money, and said he had £2 10s coming in the morning from Doncaster. At first he wanted 10 shillings, but eventually the prosecutor let him have 6 shillings. He had a man named Clarke, who, he said, was his mate, but Clarke took no part in the matter. The next thing he heard was that the prisoner had gone away and he afterwards took out a warrant for his arrest.
The prisoner declared that on the morning of the 22nd he went to the prosecutor’s shop and saw him through the kitchen getting breakfast. He had spent the money in groceries, and they were on board the “Sympathy,” if someone had not removed them since his arrest.
Robert Kinnear, cashier for Mrs E.D. Clayton, Doncaster, said the prisoner made application to be employed in charge of the keel, “Sympathy,” which was then lying at Thorne. He said he had been recommended to see them by Mr Scholey at Keadby, and Mr Cooke of Thorne. Also said he had been captain of the keel “Alert,” under Mr Whitehead for four years. The witness told him he will make enquiries, and if the keel was in a serviceable condition and fit for use he would see if he could get him taken on. He advanced him 2s 6d with which to get from some food and pay his railway fair to Thorne.
The clerk to the magistrates, Mr W Rockett, held that there was no evidence of false pretences, and has the prosecution could produce no further evidence, the prisoner was discharged.