Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 11 August 1893
Stealing 10s. at New Denaby.
George Wain, miner, Denaby Main, was charged with feloniously stealing 10s., the property of Lavinia Willows, widow, of New Conisborough.
Lavinia Willows said she was a widow and lived in Thornhill Street, New Denaby. She left home on Saturday last at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, having given her daughter two half-sovereigns to pay the grocery bill. She returned home at 8 o’clock p.m., when her daughter complained that she had lost one half-sovereign. Prisoner was not present. He was in the habit of coming to her house, and had several times seen where she placed money under oilcloth on the top of the drawers.
Sarah Ann Willows, daughter of the previous witness, said she lived with her mother. On Saturday her mother left her in charge of the money. She first placed it in a teapot in the cupboard, but afterwards removed it to the oilcloth. At a quarter to five she went for a walk with Rose Davidson. When returning they met Wain, who said, “Your house is empty.” Witness asked if the door was open, and he replied that it was. On reaching home she found the half-sovereign missing and the oilcloth turned up.
Rose Davidson said she was with the last witness during the afternoon. She corroborated her evidence, and added that the prisoner came to the house about 8 o’clock in a drunken condition. Whilst he was there a hawker came to the door with pinafores and other articles. Wain said if there were any that would fit the little girl he would buy one. He produced a half-sovereign to pay for a pinafore costing 1s. 2d., and witness gave him the change.
Robert Davidson corroborated the previous evidence.
Police-constable Trueman said he saw the prisoner in the Glasshouse Yard, and charged him with stealing the half-sovereign. Prisoner replied, “I was never in their house that night.”
Eliza Hodgkinson, hawker, Garden Street, Mexborough, said she saw defendant in Davidson’s house about 8 o’clock. She did not see him give Rose Davidson the half-sovereign, nor did she see any change given.
William Bulley said Wain was with him at the Station Hotel between four and five o’clock.
The Bench found the prisoner guilty of stealing the money, but would not impose a heavy penalty.
He was sent to Wakefield for 14 days.