Illegal Pawning At Conisborough

March 1898

Mexborough and Swinton Times, March 18, 1898

Illegal Pawning At Conisborough

Bridget Mary Hobson, married woman, was charged with illegal pawning at Conisborough, on the 2nd inst.

Mr. Baddiley, who appeared for the prosecution, stated that the complainant, her husband, charged the defendant with illegally pawning his coat. She had been in the habit of pawning articles. The man was in regular work, and earned about 30s. a week. He gave her all his wages, and she returned him some little trifle for pocket money. There was no reason for the woman to pawn the clothes. ‘The complainant had told her to desist several times.

The defendant also purchased articles from travelling drapers and pawned them before they were paid for. On Friday, the 20th February, the complainant handed to his wife 26s. On the Monday following his wife came home in the evening drunk. He wanted his coat but found that it had been pawned.

It afterwards’ transpired that a married sister had pawned it, but hearing there was likely to be lame trouble she took it out again, and the defendant then put, it back.

Elijah Hobson bore out the opening statement, and stated that he had never given his wife an authority to pawn the articles.

John Hirst, employed at Messrs Whitaker pawnshop, spoke to receiving the coat in pledge.

Defendant said her husband had given her liberty so pawn the coat.

The bench imposed a fine of 5s and 19s. 6d. costs.