CHIPPING NORTON.

BOROUGH MAISTRATES' COURT.

July 30th

Before the Mayor, (T. Mace, Esq.)

Theft of Jewellery from the "Chequers"

Minnie Pratley, aged 18, of Ramsden hawker, was brought up in custody, charged with having stolen from the Chequers Inn, Chipping Norton, on the 28th July, the property of Annie Freeman, 3 gold rings, 1 gold locket, 1 silver ring, 1 metal locket, 1 chain, 1 brooch, and 2 yards of lace, value £3.

Annie Freeman deposed: I live at the Chequers' Inn with my uncle, William Tyler. On the 27th July, I slept in the house, and Minnie Pratley, the defendant slept with me, and had done so since the previous Tuesday. On Saturday morning I got up first, and went downstairs, leaving Pratley in the bedroom. The articles produced I saw safe in a small box, in a drawer in my bedroom, on Friday afternoon. Pratley came down stairs in about a quarter of an hour after I got up, and after breakfast she left the house. About half past nine I went to the drawer for a handkerchief, when I missed the articles produced. About a quarter to ten o'clock, I started from Chipping Norton with my mother to go to Chadlington and on the road we passed the defendant and her mother. We went to the Sandy's Arms, at Chadlington, and shortly after the defendant and Mrs. Pratley came in. My mother spoke to the defendant in the tap room, and the defendant gave up the articles produced, saying they were all she had, and hoped we would forgive her.

Superintendent Cope applied for a remand in this case also.

Defendant was then formally remanded until Thursday, her father being bound in the sum of £50 for her appearance on that day.

CHIPPING NORTON.

BOROUGH MAGISTRATES' COURT.

August 2^nd

Before the Ex-Mayor (H.C. Wilkins, Esq.) and J.F. Penyston, Esq.

Robbery at the "Chequers."

Minnie Pratley, of Ramsden Heath, hawker, was also brought upon remand, charged with stealing 3 gold rings, 1 gold locket, 1 silver ring, 1 metal locket, 1 chain, 1 brooch, and 2 yards of lace, value £3, the property of Annie Freeman, on July 28th.

Annie Freeman deposed: I reside at the Chequers' Inn with my uncle William Tyler. The prisoner, Minnie Pratley had stayed in the house from Tuesday night till Saturday morning. She slept in my bedroom with me. I last saw the articles produced about half past three on Friday afternoon, the 27th. They were in a box, in a drawer in my bedroom. Neither the drawer nor the box were locked. I missed the articles, about half-past nine on Saturday morning. I had occasion to go to the drawer, and found the things were upset. Pratley had then left the house about an hour. In company with my mother, about a quarter to ten, I started for Chadlington. On the road I went overtook Pratley, but went on to the "Sandy's Arms". In about ten minutes after, prisoner came into the house with her mother, and went into the tap-room. My mother afterwards came, and also went into the tap-room. In about ten minutes I was called in, and there saw the prisoner and her mother, and my mother. The things I had lost were lying on the table. Prisoner said she hoped we would forgive her. My mother took possession of the things, I consider they are worth £3. Information had not been given to the police before we started to Chadlington. The articles produced are those I lost.

Cross-examined: I told you I would forgive you, but said that I did not know whether my uncle would..

Mrs. Smith, Chipping Norton, deposed: I am mother of the last witness, and accompanied my daughter to Chadlington last Saturday. I went into the taproom at the "Sandy's Arms", and there saw the prisoner. Mrs. Pratley asked me if anything was the matter. I said Annie had lost some things from the drawer in her room. She said "I should think not." I then said "Yes, and no one has been there but Minnie." Mrs. Pratley then said to prisoner "Minnie if you have got anything, do give it up; how could you do such a thing." Prisoner hesitated for a minute or two, when her mother repeated the question. Minnie then said she would give it up if I would promise that nothing should be said. I told her I would, so far as I was concerned. She then asked me to go into another room, and prisoner, her mother, and myself went into the parlour, and my daughter was called in. Prisoner pulled the articles out of her pocket, and placed them on the table. The articles produced are the same. Prisoner again asked me that no proceedings should be taken; but I told her I could not promise, as it was not my house from which the things were taken.

Superintendent Cope said: Shortly before 4o'clock on Saturday afternoon last, the previous witness handed me the things produced, with the statement that they had been stolen from a bedroom at the "Chequers", by Minnie Pratley. I then had my trap got ready and went in search of prisoner, and found her at Ramsden Heath her home. I apprehended her, when she said she was tempted to do it, that she had given the things up, and that it could not be helped. I took her to the police station at Chipping Norton.

A previous conviction was handed in, prisoner having been convicted for a similar offence in conjunction with a man named Thornett.

The Bench committed the prisoner for trial at the October Quarter Sessions, but consented to admit her to bail on the recognisances of her father, for £50, and a man named Scarrot, marine store dealer, of Stow-on-the-Wold, in a like amount.

OXFORD.

TRIAL OF PRISONERS.

Theft of Jewellery.

Minnie Pratley, of Ramsden, who surrendered to bail, was charged with having at Chipping Norton, on the 28th July last, stolen 3 gold rings, a gold locket, a silver ring, a metal locket, a chain, a brooch, and two yards of lace, the property of Annie Freeman.

The prisoner pleaded guilty. She also pleaded guilty to a conviction for stealing at Southern, in Warwickshire, on the 21st August, 1881.

The Chairman sentenced the prisoner to six month's imprisonment with hard labour.