Victim of Theft, 16th January 1899
Not Proven.—
Roland Smith (14), travelling gypsy, no fixed abode, was brought up in
custody charged with stealing a watch and chain, value £2 2s., at
Desborough on Jan. 16th.
—Clara Payne, wife of
James
Payne, dealer of Desborough, stated that on Monday her watch and
chain were on the shelf in the kitchen. Between 10 and 11 in the morning
prisoner came to the house to sell rugs. Witness declined to purchase,
and prisoner left. Witness subsequently left the house for a few
minutes, and on returning witness found prisoner in the kitchen against
the table. Subsequently she missed the watch and chain, and followed the
prisoner up the street, He denied taking the watch and chain.
—Henry
Vines, a shoe finisher, Desborough, deposed to seeing the prisoner
go into the complainant's house during the absence of the prosecutrix.
—P.S. Thomas deposed to arresting the prisoner in the street at
Desborough. Prisoner denied taking the watch, and invited witness to
search him He had been unable to trace the watch, as there were several
hawkers in the parish at the time.
—Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and the Chairman said that the
evidence was not sufficiently string to convict, and the case would be
dismissed.
Northampton Mercury,
Friday 20 January 1899