HOW THE MONEY WAS SPENT.
WELL-MERITED SENTENCE FOR A MEAN THEFT.
At Poole Police-court on Monday, George Matthews, a young man, son of Mr. Joe Matthews, of Poole, was charged with stealing about £9. belonging to William Medley, a soldier, who recently returned from India, having obtained his discharge.
Medley stated that the prisoner, who he first became acquainted with whilst in India, where about two years ago they were in the same Regiment, renewed acquaintance a little while ago, and last Friday night they slept in the same room at the Brighton Eating-house, prosecutor paying for Matthews’ lodging as he had no money. Complainant said when he went to bed he placed the money he was carrying – about £14 – in the purse of his belt, which he wore around his waist whilst asleep. Upon waking early the next morning he discovered all the money gone, with the exception of about five sovereigns. He woke the prisoner up, and he made a pretence of joining Medley in the search for the missing money, which, of course, was not found. Medley informed the landlady, who pointed out that no-one had been in the bedroom besides the complainant and the prisoner, whilst a dog had been laying on the mat outside the door all night. During Saturday morning complainant heard that Matthews had gone to Southampton to see the football match, which aroused his suspicions, as he wondered where he had obtained the money wherewith to go, as he had not any the previous night. It transpired that on the previous Wednesday Medley gave prisoner in response to his request half-a-crown for a night’s lodging. Matthews was in his company again all day Thursday, when Medley “treated” him, and gave him another 2s 6d for a night’s lodging.
P.C. Groves made enquiries, which led to prisoner’s arrest in the High-street on Saturday night. When charged he said “What I have is my own.” Upon being searched there was found on him £1 13s 4 1/2d in money two gold rings (apparently new), four studs, one electric lamp, a new handkerchief, collar, and white shirt, a pair of new boots, with rubber heels, a new pair of gloves, two pairs of children’s socks and a bottle of scent. Witness had since recovered another new handkerchief and an electric lamp from a man named Lewis, who stated that he had been given the articles by prisoner, half-a-sovereign from Tom Davis (who also said this was lent him by prisoner, and one toy dog [illegible]. The property and money found on prisoner represented altogether £5 6s 7d.
Upon being charged prisoner pleaded not guilty, but expressed a wish to be tried by that Court. It was pointed out, however, that this was not possible if he persisted in his plea, and the case was proceeded with.
Tom Davis, a youth, of 33, Lagland-street, said he travelled with several others in the same compartment as the prisoner to Southampton on Saturday. During the journey Matthews produced from his overcoat pocket six bottles of Bass, whilst witness also observed him pull out 15s to 30s in silver, whilst ha had tow or tree gold coins in his waistcoat pocket/ On arrival at Southampton prisoner drove in a cab to the Victoria Hotel, where he changed a sovereign. Witness observing he was spending money in a foolish manner, and thinking he might have taken it from Medley, asked him to lend him a sovereign or half-sovereign – although witness said he had no need for themoney – and prisoner let him have a half-sovereign.
Florence Brown, an assistant at Messrs. Butler’s, drapers, &c., deposed to prisoner making purchases at the shop on Saturday morning to the amount of 15s 5 1/2d, in payment of which he tendered a sovereign. – James Cole, jeweller, spoke to M[atthews] buying the two rings (produced) to his shop, for which he paid 16s, tendering a sovereign. – William Webber manager at Messrs. Oliver’s, stated that Matthews purchased a pair of boots for which he gave 12s 9d on Saturday morning. Again a sovereign was offered in payment, and witness observed when prisoner “fitted” the boots on he had three or four sovereigns in his sock. – John Flynn, landlord of the Portsmouth Hoy, and James White, landlord of the Swan Inn, gave evidence as to Matthews calling at their respective places on Saturday morning. At the Portsmouth Hoy he stood drinks for three men, tendering half-a-sovereign in payment, and at the Swan, which he visited in company with his Uncle George, he paid for the drinks with a sovereign. Kate Ann Beale, landlady of the Brighton Eating House, also gave evidence as to the prisoner and Medley stopping at her place.
The Mayor again asked Matthews if he persisted in pleading- not guilty, and he replied “It is no use pleading not guilty with all that game,” indicating the array of evidence. He thereupon pleaded guilty. – The Mayor commented on prisoner’s heartless behaviour towards his friend, whose kindness he had repaid by robbing him. The Bench thought nothing less than four months’ imprisonment with hard labour was equivalent to the offence. The goods recovered were ordered to be handed to the prosecutor.
The above appeared in The Western Gazette 12 February 1904.