Mexborough and Swinton Times February 22, 1895
Result of a Jollification at Conisbrough
John Barmby was brought up on remand charged with having stolen a roll of bacon and children’s buckets, of the value of nine shillings from the premises of Mr BosdinJames Clarkson, grocer and confectioner, Conisbrough on 11 February
John William Hardy said he was assistant to Mr Clarkson, and lived at New Conisbrough.
On Monday night, about 7 o’clock, he was in the back of the shop about to have his tea. Hearing a sound in the adjoining warehouse he went in, and saw a man going out of the back door, and he looked as if he was carrying something.
And witness asked him what he was doing there, prisoner ran through a gap in the adjacent hedge into a field. Witness followed, and saw in the gap a grey cap, near the bottom of a hedge, some articles, which on inspection proved to be a roll of bacon and some children buckets. He then sent for a policeman, and before we came witness saw a man pass the shop without a cap. Witness asked if the cap was his, and he acknowledged that it was.
He then charged him with the theft, when the prisoner asked to look at the articles after which he ran away, witness following. The things would be worth about nine shillings.
J.S.Rich, manager of Mr Clarkson’s shop at Denaby Main, deposed to be in the shop on the date named. Prisoner came into the shop and fell down. He then got up and began to walk about the shop. He was without a cap.
Superintendent Blake: How was he in regard to drink?
Witness: Well, he was not very extra drunk. (Laughter)
PC Truman stated that on Monday night he arrested prisoner, who said: “I am very sorry; but I do not remember anything about it.” He also asked if he might pay for the articles, and witness told him certainly not.
Defendant pleaded not guilty, and said that he had been with some friends on that evening and was somewhat drunk coming home. He remembered nothing about it till he lost his cap, and was arrested on going back to fetch it.
Prisoner, preferring to be dealt with summarily was found guilty, and Mr Yarborough, in passing sentence, said that he had been guilty of the most deliberate theft, but, as there were no previous convictions and seen that he had previously born a good character, he would not be sent to prison, but would have the option of paying a fine namely 30 shillings or in default 14 days