Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 19 February 1930
Warning To Witness.
Bramley Men Sentenced For Receiving. Samuel Earp and Edward Windle, both of Bramley. near Rotherham, were charged at Doncaster yesterday with breaking into the pawnbroker’s shop of David Haigh, Ltd., Conisborough, and stealing jewellery value £25.
It was stated his solicitor that Windle was a Denaby professional footballer.
There was alternative charge of receiving stolen property. Thomas Henry Wildsmith, manager of the shop, said the premises were left secure January 22nd, and the next morning it was found they had been entered, a cellar grate having been removed. Jewellery and watches were missing. During the search a pocket from a jacket was found on the premises.
Earp’s wife was called to give evidence against Windle. She said that on January 29th she went to Windle’s house, but she denied having seen any jewellery there, that it was placed in a bag after being brought out of a boot.
At this point witness was warned by the Chairman that witnesses who did not speak the truth were liable charge of perjury.
Superintendent Minty then read a statement alleged have been made Mrs. Earp to the police. Witness denied having made this statement, but later admitted that she had used something like the words it. She said she had been the police station for three hours, and made the statement to get rid of them.
Albert Henry Cox, of Silver Street, Thrybergh, said that on January 29th, Windle’s wife went to his house, and asked him to put a canvas bag in a safe place. Not knowing what the bag contained, witness hid the bag a lavatory cistern, and later under a hedge.
Police-constable Dobson said that Earp’s house jacket with a torn pocket corresponded with the pocket found in the shop.
Earp, on oath, stated that he bought the jewellery for £4 from a man he did not know Rotherham hotel. He had never been in Conisborough.
Windle declared that he bought the jewellery for 27s. 6d. from a man at a hotel.
Other witnesses said that Windle was not in Conisborough on that night.
The magistrates said they were convinced that the men were at least guilty of receiving, and both were sent to prison for three months with hard labour.