Newbury Weekly News

Dated 23^rd June 1887

OWEN – June, 18, at Gloucester-road, Newbury, Eliza, widow of Solomon Owen, late of Hampstead Marshall, aged 72.

Newbury Weekly News

dated 24^th March 1881

William Hammond, aged 21, was charged with having on the 17^th March, feloniously stolen 5s 6d the property of Mrs. Owen. Mrs. Eliza Owen, widow, living at 104 Bartholomew-street, said on the day in question she had some money in silver in the till in her shop’s counter. About 5 o’clock in the afternoon she had 7s. Having received some information, she went to the till about eight, and found only three sixpences and a threepenny piece. She went out and found the prisoner at the “Cooper’s Arms.” She said “You’ve been and taken my money.” He said, “I did not.” She then said, “it’s you that had it.” He again denied it, and she told him she would see into it. The following morning, she took out a warrant. Defendant very often came into her shop for a penny loaf.

Sarah Ann Willis, a little girl, eleven years old, said she saw defendant go into the shop and go behind the counter and put his hand into the till. He then ran down the street.

Supt. Bennett said on Saturday, the 19^th, he was standing in St. Mary’s Butts, Reading, and saw the prisoner passing along the opposite side of the street. He called the attention of a detective officer to whom he was talking and he went and stopped the prisoner. Took him to the Central Police Station. He found 1s 3½d on him.

Prisoner elected to have the case tried at this Court.

Supt. Bennett said prisoner had not been convicted of such a crime before, but had been before the Bench for drunkenness and other minor offences.

The Bench said they were quite satisfied as to the theft and he would be imprisoned for two months.