Sheffield Independent October 26, 1878

Painful Case of Robbery at Wombwell

At the Barnsley Town Hall yesterday, before Mr J Dyson and Mrs JC Milner, a respectable -looking elderly woman named Anne Neal, who during the past two years has been acting as a housekeeper to Thomas Parkin, a widower, residing in Park Street, Wombwell was charged with stealing a quantity of wearing apparel.

John Parkin, son of the prosecutor, spoke to missing articles from his father’s house, consisting of a shawl, cotton bed cover, a cloth overcoat, and other articles which he valued at £4.

The whole of the goods were found pledged with Mr WH Beat, pawnbroker, Wombwell.

Police constable Taylor apprehended the prisoner, who on being charged with the offence replied:

“There are fools at all ages; I know I have done wrong.”

The prisoner pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment.