Devon Intermediate Sessions: STEALING FROM HIS MASTER: John Charles Burton, bail, was charged with stealing at Wolborough, on 5th February, a sack and four pecks of beans, the property George Sanders. Mr. Clark appeared for the prosecution, Mr. Carter for the defence. Prosecutor is a corn dealer Abbot; the defendant was in his employ. The prosecutor’s and Mr. Pinsent’s stores were adjoining and behind the dwellinghouse. The prosecutor saw the prisoner take a sack into Pinsent’s stores, and some time afterwards P. C. Endacot saw him bring the bag out the stores again and walk away with it. On this he was apprehended, and after he had before the magistrates and had been liberated on bail, the prisoner called the prosecutor and said it was the first thing he had ever stolen. The defence was that the prisoner intended to take the beans to his master’s stable and had no intention to steal. Prisoner was found guilty, but recommended mercy: Sentenced to four months’ hard labour. Prisoner said the policeman had sworn false.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901 (?)