Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Saturday 23 July 1949

Dispute after £16,495 Pools Win

On Monday Mr. Commissioner Clark, K C., will continue hearing at the Assizes Leeds the action between two former Wombwell neighbours arising from the winning £16,495 on a football pool coupon.

Plaintiff is Mrs. Nellie Housely, East Avenue. Wombwell, and she is claiming £3,995 from her former neighbour, Mr. Wilfred Sykes, plumber, Summer Lane, Wombwell.

Opening the case, Mr. C. Paley Scott, K.C., said that In February, 1948, a forecast entered by Mrs. Housely on Mr. Sykes’s coupon was correct, and Mrs. Housely said she would give Mr. Sykes £500.

The prize totalled £16.495 and Mr. Sykes said he would not accept £500 the £1,500 to which the offer was raised. Counsel said that Mrs. Housely was willing and always had been willing to give Mr. £1,500.

A cheque for the money arrived from the pool promoters and, said counsel, when Mr. Sykes and Mrs. Housely went to the bank with the cheque Mr. Sykes credited £11,000 to her account and placed £5,495 his own account. It was the difference between £1,500 and that amount which Mrs. Housely was claiming.

In evidence Mr. Sykes said he told Mrs. Housely he would like his share the money percentage basis. It appeared that Mrs. Housely thought he meant they should divide the money equally, but that was not his Intention. She then said she would take £11,000 and he could have the remainder.

Cross-examined by Mr. Paley Scott he was asked: “Do you not think that £1,500 for absolutely nothing is handsome offer? ”

Mr. Sykes replied: “There are many ways of looking at it.”