Sheffield Independent March 7 1899

A Midnight Visit to a Wombwell Granary

At the West Riding police Court, Barnsley, yesterday named George Allsop, described as a miner, belonging to Wombwell, was brought up in custody charged with having been found in enclosed premises, with intent to commit a felony at midnight on Sunday.

Police Sergeant Ellis said about 11:45 on Sunday night he was on duty in Park Street, Wombwell, when he noticed a light in a granary belonging to Mr Heworth, farmer.

He went to the building and saw a man striking matches. He called to him to come out, but he did not do so. Witness found the door was locked, and he burst it open. He found the defendant lying on some straw. There was a pair of scales and weights etc in the building. There had been to 5 recently at Wombwell which were not accounted for.

Police constable Birbeck, who was in the company the last witness, gave corroborative evidence.

In answer to the charge, prisoner said he wished the Bench would allow him to get out of the country altogether. He asked them to give him a chance. He went to the premises to lay down for the night, and he struck a match to see where he was. He had asked two or three person to allow him to stay in their houses until morning.

Superintendent Kane said the prisoner was a lounging fellow who would not work.

The Chairman, reading from a list of previous convictions against the prisoner, said he had been up for sleeping out and similar offences. He would be sent to jail for two months with hard labour.