Sheffield Independent – Tuesday 19 April 1898
Robbing a Lodger at Denaby.
A middle-aged man named James Dickens, fitter of Rotherham was charged at the Rotherham West Riding Police Court yesterday with stealing a watch and chain, the property of George W, Goodwin, at Denaby, on April 12.
The prisoner went to stop with a stepson, with whom the prosecutor lodged.
Goodwin left the house in the morning to go his work, and during the absence of the stepson, the prisoner got possession of the watch and chain.
He pawned the chain at Swinton for 15 shillings and the watch at Chesterfield for 10 shillings.
Information was given to their police and Constable Hewitt received the prisoner into custody from the authorities at Chesterfield.
The prisoner admitted the offence, and in answer to the magistrates said he must have been drunk at the time, or he would never have committed the theft.
He was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment.