Pocket Picking at Conisboro’ Station

March 1878

Mexborough Times, March 8, 1878.

Pocket Picking at Conisboro’ Station.

At the Doncaster police court on Saturday, George Taylor and James Taylor, two respectably dressed young men, were brought up in custody charged with stealing a purse and 8s 4d (42p) from the person of Anne Eyre, at Conisbrough station, on the 1st inst.

Superintendent Todd stated that he had reason to believe the two prisoners were travelling thieves. At 1:30 PM yesterday (Friday) a Mrs Eyre was getting into the train at Conisbrough station and the two prisoners “jostled” against her, she put her hand into a pocket and missed her purse.

They were both taken into custody, but got the snaps of the handcuffs off and ran away. George Taylor was retaken, but James was not caught until 9.30 the same night.

Ann Eyre said she was a wife of John Eyre and lived at Conisbrough. On Friday the first she was going by train at 1.25 from Conisbrough to Doncaster. The two prisoners got out of the train. One of them pushed against her. She got into the train, but as neither of the prisoners got in, she felt in her pocket and found her purse was gone. It was in her pocket, just before she got in.

It contained 8s 4d viz. three florins, one shilling, two sixpences and 4d in copper. No one else was near her. She gave information to the stationmaster. The purse and money produced by Job Marwood was what she had lost.

Mr J Baker deposed that he was a partner in the Atlas works, Conisbrough, and lived at Conisbrough. He was at the station at 1.25 on the day in question. One of the prisoners was near enough to hear Mrs Eyre complain of losing her purse. She said she had lost her purse and believed that one of the two prisonershad it as they “jostled” against her when she was getting into the train.

The elder prisoner went round the end of the carriage, and was crossing the line to the up platform. He (witness) called to him to stop. He stopped. The other prisoner was leaving the Station yard by a by road. He too came about when the stationmaster called him. Mrs Eyre then charged themwith taking her purse. They said they had not got it. He (witness) told them if they were innocent, they would now have no objection to being searched. In going up the lane where the prisoner had been, they found the purse on the ground. The purse produced was the one he found.

Job Marwood said he was a Police officer in connection with the Great Northern Railway Company stationed at Doncaster. On the first inst. he received the two prisoners in custody by the 2.35 train from Sheffield. Both of them escaped when being taken to the police station. He recaptured George and took him to the West Riding Constabulary station.

Sgt Morley stated that at 9:30 PM. He apprehended James Taylor at Conisbrough and charged him with stealing a purse and 8s 4d from the person of Ann Eyre. He said he did not steal it but found it on the platform.

Both prisoners were committed to the sessions for trial.

Contributed.

On Friday night last two light fingered gentlemen alighted from the train atConisbrough station and picked the pocket of Mrs Eyre, of Conisbrough, but have not been very adept at their calling.

They were quickly discovered, and apprehended by the railway officials and taken by them to Doncaster. On the way from Doncaster station to the lock-up one of the two managed to make his escape and although handcuffed got clean away. But after seven in the evening after wandering across the country nearly 20 miles the runaway called to ask his way at the door of Mr Evans, of Llime Grove, who assisted the stationmaster in removing him to Doncaster station. The runaway fearing he was discovered bolted and thus caused Mr Evans to suspect who he was. Mr Evans at once got his hat, and after a hot chase lasting about an hour and a half secured his man, and accompanied by two friends whomhe called to his aid took him and delivered him up to Sgt Morley at Conisbrough station.

Great praise can be accorded to Mr Evans for his gallant act, and those who were atthe case before the magistrates on Saturday were surprised that no mention was made of such praiseworthy conduct.

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