Sheffield Independent – Saturday 03 April 1841

Ann Spacey and Elizabeth Stenton were summoned on the information of Thomas Ward, a man in the employ of Messrs. Charlesworth, at Kilnhurst coal yard.

Mr. Hoyle appeared in support of the information, and Mr. Potter for the defendants.

Ward stated that quantities of coal having been frequently taken out of the yard, he was ordered to watch on Tuesday night, the 23rd instant, when he saw these two women come into the yard, and take some coal away. He followed them, and they had each some in their aprons.

Cross-examined by Mr. Potter— lt was about seven o’clock. They were the only two persons he saw that night John Harrison, another workman, corroborated Ward’s statement.

Col. Fullerton said he believed if the women had made an apology to Messrs. Charlesworth, they would not have preferred this complaint; to which they replied they had been, and asked pardon.

Mt. Sellars, foreman, was then called, and said no one was allowed to take coal out of the yard, and that the complainant’s had determined to press the charge, as a warning to others.

Mr. Potter cross-examined the witnesses, to shew that it had long been customary for poor people to gather coal which dropped from carts in the yard, in answer to which, it was stated that half a dozen folks were met with coal in wheel- barrows, that they fetched from the yard, and complain- ants were determined to put a stop to it.

They had no board up in the yard as a notice that none were allowed to gather coal.

The defendants were merely ordered to pay 8s. costs, Mr Walker observing that he had no doubt it would have the desired effect.