Sheffield Independent – Tuesday 28 July 1891
Stealing Watches at Wath.
Albert Edward Richardson, watch repairer, Birmingham, was charged with larceny as bailee of watches, the property of John Garfitt, fishmonger, 25, Church street, George Searby, landlord. White Beer Inn, and Ellen Chalioner, servant, Robin Hood Inn, all of Wath.
Garfitt said on July 14th he was in the Star Inn, Wath, and saw the prisoner there. They talked about watches, and the prisoner gave him a card bearing the name of A. E. Richardson, Birmingham, and asked him if he had anything in his line. Garfitt said that he had a watch that would not go, and at prisoner’s request he brought the watch. Prisoner said his tools were at the White Bear Inn, and promised to repair the watch during the night and return it next morning at nine o’clock. He saw the prisoner next morning but he did not return the watch, which was of the value of £4. 10s.
Sophia Clarehugh, daughter of Garfitt, on the evening of July 15th saw the prisoner, who told her he could not return the watch until Saturday as he was going to Birmingham to buy things which he could purchase for 1ld. there, but which would cost him 3s. 6d. from Wath.
Ernest Braithwaite, assistant to Mr. R. Miles, pawnbroker, Wath proved that prisoner pledged the three watches and some jeweller s tools for 30s. on the morning of July 16th.
Police-constable Crawson said he apprehended the prisoner at Spalding Court House on July 23rd, and in reply to the charge he said, “Certainly I took the watch, but it is at a private house at Wath, and I intended to go back and repair it.” Prisoner now added to that statement, “I was away two days longer than I should have been, I promised to be back on Saturday or Monday at the latest. You will find on the duplicate of the pawn ticket there is nothing but watchmaker’s tools; unfortunately I left the watches in the box with them.”
Searby said on Jnly 16th he gave tbe prisoner a watch, valued at 7s. 6d., to repair, and he promised to return it in a few days, but had not done so.
Ellen Challoner valued a watch she gave to the prisoner to pair at 5s. It had attached to it a chain which dad been broken whilst in toe prisoner’s possession.
Prisoner was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.