Long-Firm Fraud Charges: Leicester Men Accused of Conspiracy: Three men were charged at Leicester today with alleged long-firm frauds were: – William Wadsworth (66), lodging at 1, Cromwell Street, Leicester: John Davenport Hulme (57), back of 201 Belgrave Gate: Ernest Pinsent (38), 13 Archdeacon Lane Leicester. One charge was that between 1st January and 4th July they conspired to obtain goods by false pretenses from such merchants as could be induced to believe that John Davenport Hulme and Ernest Pinsent were carrying on a genuine business as grocers. There were 13 charges of false pretenses against some or all of the men, respecting honey, tea, coffee and oil and disinfectant, and the total sum named in the charge being over £135. Appointed Agent Letter: Fredk. Chas. Hodgson of Ludlow said that in February of this year he advertised for a commission agent and received a letter from Wadsworth. Witness accepted his services. He received an order on March 15th, for honey to the value of £5., the terms being net cash in 14 days. He never got paid. He also received another order on 15th March, and sent a quantity of honey to H. Laxter, 1, Cromwell Street, Mill Lane, Leicester and was never paid. A further order came on April 13th and honey valued £9 6s was dispatched to John Davenport Hume, grocer, and contractor, 201 Belgrave Gate, Leicester. Other orders were received on May 17th for honey valued at £9 6s., sent to John Hulme, Junior, dairyman, 2, St. Marks Street, Leicester. Paid Out Commission: He had a letter then from Wadsworth intimating his change of address to 1 Cromwell Street and witness wrote asking for assurances as to the accounts he had opened and in reply Wadsworth said that some of his customers were finding the sale of honey slow, but he promised to get the accounts settled. Witness had paid Wadsworth £2 15s commission in respect of the orders. In no case was he paid for any of the honey sent. Traders’ Retort: Henry Wood, a London tea and coffee merchant, gave evidence of appointing Wadsworth by letter as an agent, and of the orders received from him. Wadsworth: Were not my terms with you 5 per cent. commission? I haven’t had any commission from you. Witness: Yes, 5 percent. upon the payment of the account. – I haven’t had any money from the customers. Mrs. Sarah Malin, The Farm, Rearsby, who has a stall in Leicester market, said Hulme came to her and offered to sell her honey. She bought four cases at 10d per lb., paying £6 in all by cash. The honey was delivered by Rearsby. She had never-before bought honey. The accused were remanded for a week, bail being granted to Hulme and Pinsent in £20 each. Mr. H. G. Bennett defended Hulme and Pinsent.
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
GRO0272 Tiverton: Ernest “Pinsent”: 1889 – 1966