A Shop Lifter Surprised at Conisborough

Joseph Armitage alias Hinchcliffe, glassblower, Conisborough was charged with breaking into the shop of Joseph Hardy, greengrocer, Conisborough with intent to steal.

Prosecutors stated that on Thursday evening, he locked up his shop, and between three and 4 o’clock on Friday morning, from something that was said to him, he went and found a window open. He searched the premises and found the prisoner concealed under the cellar steps.

Samuel Taylor, an ex-policeman, stated that at half past 3 o’clock on Friday morning he suffered a sharp attack of diarrhoea, and went into the backyard. Whilst in the closet he heard a man come down the road and immediately afterwards heard a window slide back. Witness went out and found a window open at the back of Hardy’s shop.

Witness heard someone in sight, and called out “hello, who’s there?” The noise ceased, but he got no answer. Witness then closed the window, and stood until a man named Burton came down the road, and he sent him for a policeman.

Police constable Pattison stated that from what he heard he went to Hardy’s shop, and found the prisoner. On being charged with breaking into the shop he replied, “I only got in for a few berries.”

Prisoner made no defence, and was formally committed to take his trial at the assizes.