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Preston Chronicle

Saturday February 27 1841
Preston Intermediate Sessions

Thomas Lawson, 27, (imp.) pleaded guilty to stealing, at Habergham Eaves, on the 7th of February, two pairs of shoes, the property of Mr John Wood. He was sentenced to one month's solitary confinement in the House of Correction.

Susan Hartley, 17, (n.) pleaded guilty to stealing, at Burnley, on the 22nd of July, a quantity of new wearing apparel, the property of Mr. L. Brown, of Burnley, with whom she had lived in service. She was remanded to hard labour for two months.

A Tremendous Crome - A little miserable-looking lad, about twelve years of age, named John Hargreaves, was charged with stealing at burnley, on the 2nd instant, a small piece of sweet cake, worth about twopence. the poor little fellow was found guilty, and sentenced to one month's imprisonment, and to be twice severely whipped.

Robert Stopforth, (r.,) and William Ashworth, 21, (n.) were charged with stealing at Barrowford, on the 26th of January, forty oranges, the property of Benjamin Nutter.- They were found guilty, and sentenced each to one month's imprisonment and hard labour.

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Mel

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If you look at the sentence for stealing a small piece of cake as compared to 40 oranges, it seems really harsh. Particularly as I would imagine oranges were quite expensive in those times.

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

I think all of these sentences were harsh, there are complaints today that the prisons are crowded but what must they have been like back then when these people were sent down for nicking oranges and cake!!

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Mel

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The Preston Guardian
Saturday November 29 1845

James Bradshaw, 46 (n.), was charged with stealing at Burnley, on the 18th of October, one half-sovereign, thirteen half-crowns, five shillings, one sixpence, and one box, the property of George Sutcliffe.-Acquitted.
George Oswell. 39 (imp.), pleaded guilty to stealing at Burnley, on the 28th of October, one rule, the property of William Pate. -Two months' hard labour.

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Mel

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The Preston Guardian
Saturday August 9 1851

Ann Williamson, 21, and Ellen Hargreaves, 19, charged with stealing, at Burnley, a purse and 14s., form the person of William Sutcliffe. - No bill against Williamson, Hargreaves acquitted.

James Hoyle, 19, charged with stealing, at Burnley, one dress piece, the property of John spencer. - Three months.

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Mel

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Preston Chronicle
Saturday February 26 1842

John Taylor, 27, was charged with stealing at Habergham Eaves, thirteen pigeons, the property of Edward Nuttall. Dr. Brown conducted the prosecution. The Chairman having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to be imprisoned for two months. [The foreman in pronouncing the verdict, said - "Guilty, but we believe he's an honest man."]

Betty Wood, 47, was charged with stealing at Burnley, two bags, the property of Thomas Read. Mr. Ingham had the prosecution. - Betty Read, wife of prosecutrix, and Mary Yarley proved the case; and Ormerod Bailey, constable, produced the two bags. Found guilty . - Three months' imprisonment.

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Mel

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The Preston Guardian

Saturday December 7 1844

Preston Intermediate Sessions

Joseph Barrett, 43 (imp.), pleaded Guilty to obtaining a pair of bellows, under false pretences, at Colne, on the 19th of February last. Sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

William Warley, 51, (imp.), pleaded Guilty to obtaining 1s. 6d., under false pretences, from Susan Sandless, at Marsden. Sentenced to seven years' transportation.

John Jackson, 22, (imp.), and William Shorrock, 22, (imp.), stood charged with stealing, at Habergham Eaves, on the 18th of October last, four trusses of hay, the property of Charles Crabtree. Verdict - Guilty. Sentenced to one month's solitary confinement, and to be once severely whipped.

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Mel

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The Preston Guardian

Saturday February 16 1856

Intermediate Session

George Gorton (22), stealing at Burnley, one handkerchief and one waistcoat, the property of Thomas Dyson - Four years' penal servitude.

Sarah Pickles (28), stealing at Burnley, one piece of ribbon, the property of Richard Peacock; one pair of stockings, two rolls of ribbon, and two handkerchiefs, the property of Richard Bramwell; and one child's hood, one piece of ribbon, and one dress piece, the property of Edward Core. - Nine months.

Shackleton Ratcliffe (16), Arthur Greenwood (15), and Luke Wilkinson (15), stealing at Habergham Eaves, eight yards of silk velvet and two handkerchiefs, the property of Emma Othick. - Ratcliffe and Greenwood, eight months each; Wilkinson, four months.

Catherine Kelly (30), stealing at Burnley, two pairs of shoes, the property of Jane Houlding; and one handkerchief, the property of Paul Rimmington. - Six months.

William Mercer (57), obtaining at Great and Little Marsden, by false pretences, the sum of eleven shillings and sixpence, with intent to cheat and defraud. - Three months.

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Mel

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The Preston Guardian

Saturday 8 August 1863

Preston Intermediate Sessions

John Howarth, 19, entering, at Habergham Eaves, the counting house of Thomas Brooks and Peter Pickup, and stealing therein 1s. and a pistol. - 12 months.

Thomas Leonard, 28, stealing at Burnley, 2s. - Six months.

Mary Walsh, 16, stealing at Burnley. a flannel petticoat. - Three months.

Daniel Coleman, 16, stealing at Burnley, £1 9s. - Six months.

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Mel

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The Preston Guardian

Preston Intermediate Sessions

Saturday December 2 1848

Christopher Myres, 46, pleaded guilty to stealing at Marsden, on the 18th Nov., one shirt, the property of Robert Townslet; also to stealing at Marsden, on the 14th Nov., one shirt, the property of George Gregson, and also to stealing one shirt and one pair of stockings, the property of Howarth Starkie. The prisoner had stolen the articles from some hedges at Marsden, on which they had been hung to dry. Sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour in the House of Correction.

John Bilsborough, 18, pleaded guilty to stealing, at Burnley, on the 21st October, one half-crown and one shilling, the moneys of Parker Parker; also to stealing, at Padiham, on the 24th October, one pair of shoes, the property of James Holme Purvis. Sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour, in the HOuse of Correction.

John Sharples, 15, pleaded guilty to stealing, at Marsden, on the 24th October, two brushes, the property o Thos. Latham. Sentenced to two months' imprisonment, with hard labour, in the House of Correction.

Joseph Scholfield, 23, was charged with stealing, at Burnley, on the 14th Nov., one pair of trowsers, the property of Jeremiah Kippax. In this case the grand jury ignored the bill.

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Mel

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The Preston Guardian

Preston Intermediate Sessions

Saturday August 25 1866

Charles Pilling, stealing at Habergham Eaves, 15s., the moneys of William Whone.-Six months.

John Howarth, stealing, at Burnley, 1s., the moneys of Luke Suthers.-Six months.

Mary Clayton, stealing, at Burnley, a brooch, the property of Thomas Blackburn. -Six months.

John Chester, stealing, at Trawden, a telescope, a shot cartridge, and a number of gun wadding, the property of Wm. Bracewell. -Seven years penal servitude.

Joseph Burrows and Dinah Burrows, stealing, at Burnley, ten pounds of cotton cops, the property of Henry Lomas and others. -Joseph Burrows, acquitted, and Dinah Burrows, twelve months.

James Harrop, stealing at Burnley, a night dress, the property of Thomas Chaffer Holden; and a jacket, the property of William Parker. -Six months.

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Mel

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There was a Parker Parker born at Lea Green 1815, wonder if it was him whom John Bilsborough stole the money from?

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

The Preston Guardian

Preston Intermediate Sessions

Saturday February 20 1869

Boot Stealing - John Hargreaves pleaded guilty to stealing at Burnley, on the 18th of January 1869, one pair of boots, the property of James Rawlinson, and on the 19th of January, another pair of boots, the property of Robert Chadwick. -He was sentenced to nine months' hard labour in the House of Correction.

Robbery of Sugar - John Wilkinson, 40, was charged with stealing at Burnley, on the 30th December 1868, 28lbs. of sugar, value 9s. 3d., the property of Abraham Altham and others. Mr. Hawthorn prosecuted - Prisoner was sentenced to 15 calendar months' hard labour in the House of Correction.

Stealing a Coat - James Hollin, 19, was charged with stealing on the 31st December, 1868, at Burnley, a coat, the property of T.P.Smith. -He pleaded not guilty, and was committed for 12 months to the House of Correction.

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Mel

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It's possible Gloria. Was he the only Parker Parker?

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Mel

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The Preston Chronicle

Preston Intermediate Sessions

Saturday February 21 1885

Criminal Assault on a Little Girl - Whittam Kippax, 40, weaver, was charged with indecently assaulting and illtreating Janet Greenwood, 9 years of age, at Burnley, on the 17th of January, 1885. -Mr. Blair prosected and Mr. Yerburgh defended. -The girl did not appear, as she was suffering from scarlet fever. Her deposition had been taken, and were read to the Jury. -He was found guilty, and sentenced to six calendar months imprisonment, with hard labour.

Pickpockets - Ann McGray, 49, tailoress, and William Casidy, 50, hawker, were charged with stealing from the person of Mary Jackson, at Burnley, the sum of 10s. and one purse, her moneys and property, on the 17th January. Mr. Cooper appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Devy for the defence. -Both prisoners were found guilty, and the female prisoner was found guilty to a previous conviction for felony under an assumed name. -McGray was sentenced to 12 calendar months' imprisonment, with hard labour, and four years' police supervision; and Cassidy was sent to gaol for four calendar months.

Theft From The Person - George Hughes, 55, tailor, was charged with stealing from the person of John Maguire one watch, his property at Burnley, on the 29th December of last year. -Mr. Hulton prosecuted. -Prisoner was found guilty, and being a well-known thief, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, and five years' police supervision.

Theft of Apparel - Sarah Jane Thompson, 34, rover, was charged with stealing one coat, one vest, and one pair of trousers; the property of one James Aspin, at Burnley, on the 6th inst. -Mr. Yerburgh prosecuted. -The Jury returned a verdict of guilty against the prisoner, and she was committed to gaol for six calendar months, with hard labour, to be followed by two years' police supervision.

Alleged Warehouse Breaking - James Webb, 28, baker, was charged with breaking and entering a warehouse, and stealing nine herrings, the property of one James Blackburn, at Burnley, on the 30th ult. - Mr. Formby prosecuted. -A verdict of not guilty was returned, by the jury, and prisoner was charged with a caution from the chairman.

A Heavy Sentence - Mary Farrell, 41, hawker, was charged with stealing two pairs of boots, the property of one Elias Dunkerley, at Burnley, on the 11th December last year. -She was found guilty, and being an old offender, was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, and seven years' police supervision.

A Brutal Assault on a Married Woman - Asa Thursby, 18, weaver, Henry Scott, 16, weaver, and Rd. Crabtree, were charged with indecent assaulting and illtreating Ruth Walton, a married woman, at Great and Little Marsden, on the 11th inst. -Each of the prisoners was sentenced to six calendar months' imprisonment.

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Mel

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