Mexborough and Swinton Times October 11, 1929
False Pretences.
Mexborough Man’s Trick.
Benjamin Raybould (40), of 8, Cromwell Street, Mexboro’, pleaded guilty at Rotherham West Riding Police Court on Monday, to three charges of having obtained money by false pretences, and was sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently.
The charges related to 10s. obtained from Sarah A. Houlton, 68, Rowns Lane, Swinton, on Aug. 12th; 12s. from Stanley Mason, 191, Green Lane, Swinton, on the same day; and 8s. from Nellie Button, Brownville Street, Swinton, on Aug. 13th.
Mrs. Houlton said defendant came to her house and asked her if she wanted to buy a load of coal. He told her he was working at Wath Colliery, and was due to receive a load of coal, but could not pay for it. He received the money, but she did not receive the coal.
It was alleged that defendant practised the same trick in the two other cases.
P.c. Allonby said he saw defendant in Main Street, Swinton, on Sept. 31st, and he answered the description of a man wanted for the offences. He questioned him, but he denied it, and then witness took him to the Swinton Police Station, where he later admitted the offences.
Raybould said he had been out of work for over three years, but the police superintendent at Swinton had promised to try and find him work. He pleaded for leniency, and said he was willing to pay the money back.
Inspector Aderton asked that three other charges of similar offences, involving 24s., to which defendant pleaded guilty, should be taken into consideration.
The magistrates accepted the suggestion.