PENRITH HERALD, October 24, 1874 / CUMBERLAND SESSIONS............Part Three

[Barb Ontario Canada]

CUMBERLAND SESSIONS...............Part Three

 

THEFT OF BEEF AT PENRITH.

 

SARAH THOMPSON (58), a vagrant, was charged with stealing seven pound weight of beef and two silver skewers, the property of MR. LAWRENCE HARRISON, at Penrith, on the 18th August 1874.  MR. BALDWIN prosecuted and briefly stated the facts of the case to the jury.  He said that MR. HARRISON, the prosecutor, was a solicitor, and lived in Bishop’s Yard, Penrith.  The prisoner was a beggar, and was in the habit of going to MR. HARRISON’s back door to beg.  After the prosecutor’s servants had dined, on the 28th of August, the cook took about 6 lbs. of beef, and after attaching some fat to it by a couple of silver skewers, carried it into the larder.  Later on in the day, the beef was missed, and the next thing they heard of it was the prisoner going into the house of EMMA CLEMENTSON to get her pipe lighted, when she said she would sell her a piece of beef for “a bob”.  MRS. CLEMENTSON refused to buy the meat, and the prisoner then went to a lodging house kept by a MRS. WARD, and asked her to stay all night.  After having been shown into a room where she was to pass the night, she remained in the house about three-quarters of an hour, when she said she would go home.  On the following day, P.C. FRASER searched MRS. WARD’s lodging house, and in the room to which the prisoner had been shown, he found between the bed and the mattress the piece of meat.One of the skewers had not been found, but the other was discovered in some mud near to MRS. HARRISON’s back door.  Evidence having been called, and the beef in question having been produced and sworn to, the Chairman carefully reviewed the evidence.  The jury found the prisoner Guilty.  She pleaded guilty to a previous conviction.  Sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour, and twelve months’ police surveilance.

 

THE COUNTY BUSINESS.

was taken at noon on Wednesday, when the usual reports were read:  The county police force is to be increased by thirteen constables.

 

WESTMORLAND.

 

The Westmorland Sessions were held at Kendal on Thursday, before F. A. ARGLES, Esq., and a large bench of magistrates.  The usual reports were laid before the Court and adopted.  On the proposal of the Police Committee to add two policemen to the County Police, a long discussion took place, the motion being very strongly opposed by DR. SIMPSON,  MR. WHITWELL, M.P., and MR. WAKEFIELD.  Eventually, on a division, the proposed increase was carried by 13 to 6.  The building of a new lock-up at Windermere was also opposed by the same gentlemen, but on a division was carried by a large majority.  The usual orders were made as to gaols and bridges.  A police rate of 1/4 d. in the pound, and a county rate of 1/2d. were also ordered.

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