The Amateur “Gasman”: There was an interesting little knot of spectators surrounding the Newton Town Hall on Monday when Albert Lakin, the amateur gasman, arrived in charge of two Exeter warders, to answer the charge before Dr. J. W. Ley and Mr. Robert Vicary, of endeavouring to obtain by false presentences £2 from Mrs. Mary Pinsent, 6 Devon Square, Newton, the previous Wednesday.
The evidence for the complainant was heard prior to the remand, and in this Mrs. Pinsent said the defendant called for the settlement of her gas account. Being strongly of the opinion that there had been an overcharge, she declined to pay but in reply to the defendant said the account was £5 6s for three months. Defendant accused the company of robbing her and asked to be allowed to examine the meter. He admitted he was not Mr Clarke, but a Mr. White, He examined the gas in two rooms and subsequently inspected the meter. A policeman appeared on the scene.
Defendant: Do you think it reasonable, I, a stranger, should know what was due to the Gas Company? Were there any policemen in your house at the time I was there?
Witness: Not that I am aware of:
P.C Real said in consequence of complaints respecting a man peddling in Courtenay Park using abusive language, he proceeded in that direction. A gentleman gave a description of the man, and the witness called at the front bar of the Queen’s Hotel, where he saw the defendant, who remained there until 7.10 pm. when he proceeded to Devon Square by way of the Oak Tree. He called at several houses offering boot laces. Witness followed, concealing himself behind the bushes.
Complainant answered the knock at 6, Devon Square, and the defendant said “Good evening, madam, I am come from the Newton Company, for the settlement of your gas account. “Mrs. Pinsent asked if it was Mr. Clarke, and the defendant said no, his name was White. Mrs. Pinsent declined to pay the account as it was exorbitant, but asked the defendant to examine the meter, and the latter remarked “Ah, no doubt about it, madam, the Newton Gas Company are robbing you the same as they are robbing other people in Newton.”
Defendant entered the house, and, given a candle by the complainant, proceeded to the basement. On seeing him disappear, witness and P.C. Horn went into the hall, and having informed Mrs. Pinsent he was a police constable, entered the drawing room which was opposite the door leading to the basement.
Eventually the defendant came up with a candle in his hand and said “I can’t find anything the matter with the meter, madam; It is not my place to tell you, but there is no doubt about it, they are robbing you. Of course, I have been sent for the gas account.” Witness then stepped forward and told the defendant he had been watching him for nearly an hour.
Asked if was employed by the Company, he replied in the negative, and asked if possessed a pedlar’s certificate, accused gave another negative reply, adding “You got long way to go to prove a charge of that sort against me.” When searched at the police station a peddler’s certificate expiring next December was found in his possession, bearing the name of “Albert Lakin.”
Defendant: Where did you ask me to show a peddler’s certificate?
Witness: In the passage, and you denied you had one.
Defendant: You had me in charge, and I told you when we got to the Police Station you would see the lot? — You never made such a statement. P.C. Horn corroborated. Mr. Joseph George Clark, manager of the Newton Gas Company, said the defendant was a stranger to him and had never been employed by the Company, nor had he been given authority to collect accounts.
The Chairman: Anyone employed by the Company by the name of White? — Yes, White examines the gas meters, but the defendant is an entire stranger to me.
At the request of Sergt. Creech, defendant was remanded until Monday for enquiries. When asked on Monday by the Chairman, he pleaded not guilty and preferring to make a statement, pointed out that he was under observation for more than one hour, which, presumed, included the time he was in the public house. The constable must have dogged him about until he reached this particular house. Here, the complainant, on answering the door appeared flustered and asked him if he came from the Gas Company. He told her he was not Mr. Clarke, and on her saying, there was something the matter with the gas, he thought he might be able to help her so offered to see what he could do. She lit a candle and he naturally proceeded to the cellar and examined the meter. When he came up again the policeman was waiting for him. Nothing was mentioned about money.
Mrs. Pinsent, in evidence, had said he deliberately announced himself as the representative of Mr. Clarke, but he could say no such thing, because he had not seen Mr. Clarke before. He only entered Newton the previous day, from Torquay, where he had been since Christmas.
The Chairman: Both of the constables heard you say you had come about the gas account.
The Accused: But how could I particularly pick any like that?
The Chairman: The constable says you did and the other corroborates.
The Accused: Quite so; I have three against one. What can I do? I have a certificate to draw a pound for Militia pay, and a peddler’s certificate with only two months gone; is it likely I should go and chance my arm like that? I went to every house in the road with my basket on my back. I have ten years’ character in the 4th Batt. Gloucester Regt.
The Chairman: It is no good making suggestions of that kind. If you thought you had a chance of getting a £5 note you’d try it.
The Accused: I say a trap was laid for me; and if I hadn’t taken the candle and gone downstairs there would have been nothing in the matter. I stand here alone, with three witnesses against me.
The Chairman: Yours is a very ingenious attempt at robbery. We don’t know that the account was owing but you must have got some knowledge, and we shall mark your appreciation of it by sending you to prison for a month with hard labour.
Prisoner: What about the peddler’s certificate? You are taking from me a pound due to me from the Militia, and most probably I shall get my discharge.
The Chairman: You should have thought of these things before. We regret that you have come to grief.
Lakin, as he left the dock, said “I am going to prison now for a thing I am quite innocent of.”
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.
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