The Preston Chronicle
Saturday 7th January 1832
William Windle, 25, pleaded guilty to stealing twelve half-crowns, and ten shillings, the property of William Hardcastle. The prisoner was a local preacher in one of the Methodist connexions. He was at the school-house at Trawden, on the day in question, (a Sunday,) and was to be the preacher himself on the same evening. During the forenoon service, however, while the family were all absent but a girl, he went into a lower appartment, and took the money out of a box. Having dropped some of it, the girl heard the noise, and came down, but did not then suspect what he had done. The money was however missed, and at the meeting in the evening the matter was mentioned, and he was delicately asked to produce what money he had, and if the amount did not tally with that which was lost, he might stand acquitted. He denied the robbery, and produced the money, which was not the exact amount, and which was left on the table to see if he would lift it, he being still suspected. He did so, and went away, but, as some stonement for his offence, he afterwards returned, and gave it back to the party to whom it belonged. The learned Chairman commented in strong terms on the disgraceful conduct of the prisoner, in taking advantage of the confidence reposed in him, and hoped that his returning the money would prove the commencement of a sincere repentance. The sentence of the Court was that he should be kept to hard labour for 12 calendar months.
_________________ Mel
Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!
|