The Bath Chronicle Thursday 26 Oct 1905
Page 7 Column 5
BATH CITY POLICE.
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Tuesday. - Before Mr. T. H. D. MAY (in the chair) and Mr. R. KERSLEY.
Frederick HAWKINS, of 10, Victoria Buildings, Twerton, a conductor in the employ of the Bath Electric Tramways Co., was summoned on remand with having stolen a purse containing a £5 bank note and £5 in gold, on the 13th inst. The property of Mabel LAMBERT. - This case had been adjourned from the previous Tuesday in order that evidence might be brought forward by those who were said to be on the car at the time when the purse was handed over to a lady and gentleman. - Mr. W. F. LONG appeared for the defendant. - Inspector ROWLEY, of the Electric Tramways Co., said the day after Miss LAMBERT said she lost her purse, prisoner sent a message asking for leave of absence, which was granted for the Saturday afternoon, the Sunday being defendant's day off in the ordinary course. - Defendant, in the box, stated that on the Saturday, the 14th inst., as he did not feel well, he sent a message for leave, which was granted. He stayed in Bath for the Saturday afternoon and the Sunday. He went out for about an hour on the Saturday evening. - The Chairman, in answer to Mr. LONG, intimated that they were of opinion that there was a prima facie case for defendant to answer. - Mr. LONG said under such circumstances defendant would prefer to be tried by a judge and jury, and he would ask, therefore, for him to be sent to the forthcoming Assizes. - This was accordingly done, defendant being admitted to the same bail as before, himself in £10 and two sureties of £5 each. - On the application of defendant, the case was half over for an hour for the production of the driver of the car on which defendant was working at the time of the alleged theft. - Subsequently Thomas Henry HANHAM, the driver of the car, spoke to a conversation which he and defendant had on the 16th inst. about a purse that had been lost, and was advertised in the paper. The advertisement stated that the purse had been lost on the 10.30 car from the Devonshire Arms, and as the car on which defendant was working was the 10.34 from that place, defendant said it must have been his car. A few minutes later defendant said a gentleman did come down the stairs and give him a purse, which a lady inside claimed. Witness said, “Perhaps it was the same,” and defendant said, “I suppose so.”
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