Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 26 December 1902
Theft from Denaby Main Colliery
The Wrong Man Arrested
On Friday morning, a man named William Oldfield, a labourer, of Mexborough, was brought before Mr G.W Laughton on a charge of stealing 24 door keys, four meal teaspoons, a snuff box, a hand towel etc. belonging to the Denaby and Cadeby Main Colliery Company.
On the prisoner being placed in the box, Mr Allen asked that he should be discharged. On the previous night the offices at Denaby were broke into, and the watchman found the man concealed under a table. He found the property named in his possession, belonging to the Colliery Company and arrested the man. He was taken into the Police Station when he got away. He made enquiries, and issued a warrant against a man named William Oldfield, alias Dawson, described as of Mexborough.
On seeing the prisoner that morning he found that he was not the man he found in the office. There was nothing against the prisoner, and there was not the slightest doubt he was not the man they wanted he therefore asked the magistrates to discharging. If The company were sorry the mistake happened.
The Chairman: This is the wrong man?
Mr Allen: Yes
The Chairman: then he will be discharged.
The man left the box.
