January 1908 – The Pinsent Family

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: Friday 31st January 1908

Newton Abbot: Before Dr. J. W. Ley (chairman) and Mr. R. Vicary; Albert Laken was brought up on remand charged with endeavouring to obtain £2 by false-pretenses from Mrs. Pinsent, 6, Devon-Square, Newton Abbot. Prisoner called on the prosecutrix and endeavoured to collect her gas account. She objected to pay as it was such an exorbitant amount, and he then told her that he believed the Gas Company was robbing her. At his suggestion he examined the meter and, on his return from the basement, found two policemen waiting for him, and he was taken into custody. He now elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded “not guilty”.

He said the policemen had been dogging him about from house to house when he was peddling. When he called at Mrs. Pinsent’s, she asked him if he was Mr. Clarke, the gas manager, and he replied that he was called Wild. She then told him that there was something the matter with the meter, and, thinking to help her, he offered to examine it. Nothing was said about collecting any money. He had a peddler’s certificate, and a ten year’s character from the 4^th Battalion Gloucester Militia from which £1 was due to him, and if he was sent to prison, he would lose that. The Bench sent the accused to prison for a month with hard labour.

[see also Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: Tuesday 28^th January 1908]

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

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Western Times: Friday 31st January 1908

Albert Lakin, the tramp who was convicted of attempting to obtain money by false pretenses at Newton last week, and remanded for inquiries, was sentenced on Monday by Mr. R. Vicary and Dr. J. W. Ley to one month’s imprisonment. It will be remembered he called on Mrs. Mary Pinsent of 6, Devon Square, and represented that he had been sent to collect the gas account. As a matter of fact, he had never been employed by the Gas Company. P.S. Creech said there was nothing known against the prisoner beyond a conviction for begging at Torquay.

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Brixham Western Guardian: Thursday 30th January 1908

False Pretences at Newton Abbot: An Ingenious Fraud: Albert Lakin, a stranger to the district, was on Monday brought up on remand before Messrs. J. W. Ley (Chairman), and R. Vicary at Newton’s Abbot Police Court, charged with endeavouring to obtain the sum of £2 by false pretences from Mrs. Pinsent, 6, Devon-square, Newton, on the 22nd January. The evidence heard on the previous Thursday was to the effect that the prisoner called at Mrs. Pinsent’s house between 7.30 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. When she went to the door he said – “I have called for the settlement of your gas account.” She – “I can’t pay it, because there is some mistake about it.” She believed he then asked how much was due, and she said the amount was £5 6s. for three months. He then said: “I believe the Gas Company is robbing you. I could easily tell if you let me see.” She then asked if he was Mr. Clarke, the manager, and he said, with a Cockney twang, “My name is White.” He looked at the gas in the hall, and the dining room and said it was all right. She then got a candle, and the prisoner went down to the basement to examine the meter. When he was at the foot of the stairs, she asked him if it was all right, and he said: “You can see for yourself if you come and look.” P.C. Real then appeared on the scene. He had received a complaint that a man had been peddling in Courtenay Park and using abusive language. The result was he kept his eye on the prisoner and saw him offering bootlaces for sale in Devon-square. When the prisoner called at Mrs. Pinsent’s, the constable hid himself in the bushes and heard him tell her that he had called about the gas account. He also heard the subsequent conversation and, after the prisoner had examined the meter, and informed Mrs. Pinsent that there was no doubt the Gas Company had been robbing her, the constable took him into custody. A remand was granted to enable the police to make further enquiries and on Monday Prisoner elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded not guilty. He preferred to make a statement and being sworn and pointed out the constable said he had him under observation for an hour and a half. He supposed that included half an hour that he was in a public house. The constable must have been dogging him about from house to house until he reached this particular one. When he got there Mrs. Pinsent asked if he were Mr. Clarke, and he replied, “No; I am Mr. White.” She then said that there was something the matter with the meter, and thinking that he could help her, he offered to see it for her. She lit a candle, opened the cellar door, and he, naturally, went. down. When he came up again the policeman was waiting for him. Nothing whatsoever was mentioned about money. Mrs. Pinsent had said that he deliberately went to the door and said he was the representative of Mr. Clarke, but he could say no such thing because he had not seen Mr. Clarke before. He had only been in Newton Abbot from 4 o’clock the previous day, having come there from Torquay, where he had been since just before Christmas. The next day he did not go out until 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The Chairman: Both of the constables heard you say you had come about the gas account. Prisoner: But how could I particularly pick my house like that? The Chairman: The constable say’s you did and the other corroborates. Prisoner: 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 two months to go: is it likely that 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 Battalion 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. Prisoner: I say a trap was laid for me and if I hadn’t taken the candle and gone downstairs there would have been nothing the matter. I stand here alone and have three witnesses against me. The Chairman: We think 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 our 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: Prisoner: I am going to prison for a thing I am quite innocent of. Prisoner was then removed.

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Birmingham Daily Gazette: Wednesday 29th January 1908

Charitable Bequests: £4,000 Left for the Poor of Birmingham: By the will, dated June 17, 1897, of the late Mrs. Catherine Cornforth, of Lime Grove, Edgbaston, widow of Alderman John Cornforth, which had been lodged for probate in which the estate is valued at £90,010 net, charitable legacies are bequeathed duty free as follows: … (list of charitable causes including hospitals, death, dumb and blind institutes and SPCA). … The gift to the General Hospital is to be deemed satisfied by any gift of any equivalent amount made to the date of the will. A fund of £4,000 is also vested in Messrs. A. H. Griffiths, T. F. Walker, and R. A. Pinsent for the benefit of the poor of Birmingham. … (continues) … We are informed that the £4,000 left for the benefit of the poor of Birmingham is to be devoted to persons in indigent circumstances residing within five miles of the Town Hall, who must be over 55 years of age. The distribution is left to the discretion of the three trustees. …

Referenced

GRO0738 Devonport: Richard Alfred Pinsent: 1852 – 1948

Totnes Weekly Times: Saturday 25th January 1908

Alleged False Pretenses at Newton: Collecting a Gas Account: Albert Lakin, a stranger to the district was charged before Messrs. J. W. Ley (chairman), and R. Vicary, at the Newton Abbot Police Court Thursday, with endeavouring to obtain the sum of £2 by false pretences from Mrs. Pinsent, 6, Devon-square, Newton, on the 22nd January. Mary Pinscnt, widow, residing 6, Devon-square, said the prisoner called at her house between 7.30 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. When she went to the door he said: “I have called for the settlement of your gas account.” She said, “I can’t pay it, because there is some mistake about it.” She believed he then asked how much was due, and she said the amount was £5 6s for the three months, he then said. “I believe the Gas Company is robbing you. I could easily tell if you let me see.” She then asked if he was Mr. Clarke, the manager, and he said, with Cockney twang, ‘‘My name is Mr. White,” He looked at the gas in the hall and the dining room and said it was all right. She then got a candle, and the prisoner went down to the basement to examine the meter. When he was at the foot of the stairs, she asked him if it was all right, and he said “You can see for yourself if you come and look.” Just after this a policeman, in plain clothes, came into the house and arrested him. Prisoner: Were there any policemen in your house at the time? Witness: Certainly not. The prisoner said the witness had stated several things that were not correct. P.C. Real said about 6.45 p.m. on. Wednesday he was in Queen-street in plain clothes in company with P.C. Horne. He received a complaint that a man had been peddling in Courtenay Park and using abusive language. He went in that direction and met a gentleman who gave him the description of a man who had been there peddling. Witness then went into the front bar of the Queen’s Hotel, where he saw the prisoner. He came outside and he informed Horne of what he had seen, and again he went back into the bar. He stayed there with the prisoner until about ten minutes past seven. Lakin then came out and went up Queen-Street and turned by the Oak Tree towards Devon-square. He saw him go to several houses, offering bootlaces for sale. When he called at Miss Pinsent’s, the witness crept up behind him, and hid in the bushes. He knocked at the door, and when Mrs. Pinsent came out, he said. “Good evening, madam, I come from the Newton Gas Company for your gas account.” Mrs. Pinsent said, “Oh! is it you Mr. Clarke?” Prisoner said, ‘‘No, my name’s White but I am sent Mr. Clarke.” Mrs. Pinseut said she could not possibly pay then, as it was too exorbitant, and there must be something wrong with the meter. She wondered if the prisoner would come in and look at it. “Ah, madam,” he said, “there is doubt the Gas Company is robbing you, the same as they are other people Newton.” Prisoner then went into the house. She gave him a candle, and he went down the basement. When he saw him disappear down the basement he slipped into the hall, as also did P.C. Horne. I told Mrs. Pinsent he was a police constable, and then went into the drawing room which was right facing the door leading to the basement where the prisoner went down. When he came up with the candle in his hand, the accused said: “I can’t find anything the matter with the meter. Madam. It’s not my place to tell you, but no doubt they are robbing you. Of course, I have been sent for the gas account.” Witness then came out of the room and said to the prisoner; “I have been watching you for nearly an hour. Are you in the employ of the Gas Company?” He said “No.” He then charged and cautioned him. He then asked him if had a peddler’s license, and he again replied in the affirmative. Prisoner further said: “You have got a long way to go to prove a charge of that sort against me’’ I took him to the police-station and, searching him, found a peddler’s certificate. Cross-examined by prisoner. He did not say he would show the certificate to him when he got to the police station. P.C. Horne corroborated. Joseph Clarke, manager of the Newton Gas Co., said the prisoner had never been, in their employ, and had no right whatsoever to collect accounts on the Company’s behalf. In reply to the Chairman, witness said they had a man named White in their employ who examined the meters, but he was in no way connected with the prisoner. P.C. Creech- asked for a remand until Monday, to enable the police make inquiries, and the Magistrates remanded the prisoner to Exeter prison until that day.

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Western Times: Friday 24th January 1908

CALLED FOR GAS ACCOUNT: Alleged Attempt to Obtain Money by Fraud at Newton: William Lakin, described as of no fixed abode, was charged before Dr. J. W. Ley and Mr. R. Vicary, at Newton yesterday, with attempting to obtain money by false pretences from Mrs. M. Pinsent, of 6, Devon-square, Newton, the previous night. Complainant’s evidence was to the effect the accused called upon her representing that he had been sent by the Gas Company to collect the gas account. Complainant told him that she could not pay, as there was some mistake. He asked her what the amount was, and she replied, “£ 5 6s for three months,” the prisoner then saying, “They are robbing you.” Complainant asked him if he was Mr. Clarke, and he replied, “No; Mr. White.” Accused, at his request, was allowed to examine the lights and inspect the meter, and said they were all right. Two policemen then came and arrested the man. P.C. Reel stated that watched the accused because of complaints received of his behaviour in Courtenay Park, where he was hawking, and using insolence to people. Witness-kept his eye on him from 6.45 until 7.10, during which time went into the Queen’s Hotel. The witness followed him to Mrs. Pinsent’s house and hid in some bushes. Another constable was with him. The witness heard him tell Mrs. Pinsent he had come for the gas account, and that his name was White. Mrs. Pinsent said she could not pay the account because it was most exorbitant, and that there really must be something wrong with the meter. Accused said to the complainant, “There is no doubt about it, Madam, they are robbing you the same as they are other people in Newton.” When the accused went down to the basement to examine the meter, the witness entered the hall. Accused came up and said, “It is not my place to tell you, madam, but there is doubt about it, they are robbing you. Of course, I have been sent for the gas account.” Witness then stepped out of a room and asked the accused if he was in the employ of the Gas Company. Accused replied in the negative, and the witness cautioned him and charged him with attempting to obtain money by false pretenses. Witness also asked him if he had a peddler’s certificate, and he answered, No”. Prisoner afterwards said, “You’ve a long way to go to prove the charge you are bringing against me.” When searched at the police station an expired peddler’s certificate was found upon him bearing the name Albert Lakin. P.C. Horn corroborated the evidence of the last witness. Joseph Clarke, manager of the Newton Gas Company, stated that the accused had never been in the employ of the company, and he was not authorised to collect any money for the company. P.S. Creech asked for a remand until next Monday to make inquiries, and the Bench acceded to the request.

[see similar Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: Tuesday 28^th January 1908]

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Grimsby News: Friday 24th January 1908

Marriages: Gibson – Pinsent: On the 13th inst. at St. Leonard’s Church, Sherfield English, Hants, by the Rev. Turner Long, rector, Edward Galliard Gibson, of Grimsby, to Jessie Florence, daughter of John Pinsent, Gamble-down, Romsey, Hants. “At Home, Feb 4th, 5th and 6th, 2 Belgrave Terrace, Grimsby. … Also … Pretty WEDDING: — A very pretty country wedding took place at St. Leonard’s Church; Sherfield-English’ on Monday, January 13th between Miss Jessie Florence Pinsent, daughter of John Pinsent, of Gamble: down, Romsey, Hants., and Mr. Galliard Gibson, of Grimsby. The bride wore white – crepe-de-chine and a wreath of orange blossoms and tulle veil and carried a shower bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids were her sister Miss Maud Pinsent and her cousin Miss Christabel Hawkes and wore dresses of pale blue colienne over white silk with large blue picture hats. Dr. Burnett, of Grimsby, acted as best man. After the ceremony Mrs. Pinsent held a reception at Gamble-down, the bride and bridegroom leaving for London later in the afternoon, where the honeymoon was spent. The presents were numerous and handsome.

Referenced

GRO0118 Hennock: Catherine Whidborne: 1840 – 1923
GRO0247 Hennock: Ellen Maud Pinsent: 1872 – xxxx
GRO0482 Hennock: Jessie Florence Pinsent: 1877 – 1959
GRO0492 Hennock: John Pinsent: 1838 – 1916

Western Times: Friday 24th January 1908

Marriages: Pinsent – Gibson: On the 13^th, at St. Leonard’s Church, Merfield, Jessie Florence, daughter of John Pinsent, Gambledown, Romsey, to Edward Gaillard Gibson, of Grimsby.

Referenced

GRO0482 Hennock: Jessie Florence Pinsent: 1877 – 1959
GRO0492 Hennock: John Pinsent: 1838 – 1916