Mexborough and Swinton Times July 26, 1929

West Melton Summons Dismissed.

A summons against Thomas Wilson (36), labourer, of 71, West Melton Street, West Melton, for having stolen 14s. cash, the money of Mrs. Ivy France, of 18, Brampton. Street, Brampton, was dismissed at Rotherham West Riding Court on Monday.

Mr. A. E. Furniss appeared for the defendant, who pleaded “not guilty.

Mrs. France said that on May 29th she went upstairs about 10-30 a.m. to fetch her baby down. When she came down she brought with her 14s. and placed it on the room table. She had occasion to go upstairs again, and whilst upstairs she heard the room door click, and the baby cry out “Mamma.” She came downstairs and found that the money was missing. The defendant had been in several times recently, to tell her when he would bring her a water tub that she had bought. He was the only person who came in without knocking.

Ellis Harry Phillips, foreman shunter, of 11, Pontefract Road, Brampton, gave evidence stating that he had seen Wilson about 30 yards from the house of Mrs. France, at about 10-30 a.m., and he was the only person in the vicinity.

P.c. Green said that in company with P.s. Galloway he visited the home of the defendant, and when cautioned and charged with the offence defendant replied, “I did go to Mrs. Frances about dinner time. I was only there about three minutes.”

Mr. Furniss said he would ask the Bench to dismiss the ease immediately as there was no evidence of larceny. Defendant lived in a street near the complainant’s, and it was quite natural that he should be seen in the vicinity. As far as the water tub was concerned, Mrs. France had not yet paid for it.