South Yorkshire Times January 20, 1933
Fraud On Tradesman
Kilnherst Rogue’s Shocking Record
William Longden (38), boilersmith, formerly of Kilnhurst, now of no fixed address, was sent to prison for six months at Rotherham on Tuesday on a charge of having stolen as bailee on May 18th, 1929, furniture valued £13 16s., the property of Christmas George Gerrity, furniture dealer, a3, Ashwood Road, Parkgate.
Goulty said that in 1926 he carried on a business at 38, New Street, Rawmarsh, and on Februrry 11th he sold prisoner articles of furniture valued about £31 on the hire-purchase system. Longden left £2 deposit and the furniture was delivered to an address in Kilnhurst. Longden paid another 1s. On the account. On May 16th witness ascertained that Longden had loft the district and taken his furniture as well. He made enquiries and on June 8th, 1819, he went to Simpson’s lodging house in Westgate, Rotherham, and found that some of the furniture he had sold Longden had been bought by Simpson. Longden had no permission to sell the furniture.
John Simpson, 44. Westgate, Rotherham, said he kept a lodging house there and was also an antique dealer. About May 16th, I.829, a woman came to him and gave the name of Mrs. Longden. She gave an address at Beech Cottages, Brick Yard, Kilnhurst, and asked witness if he would buy certain articles of furniture. He made arrangements to go and view the furniture and Longden was with the woman when he purchased the furniture. He gave Longden £8 for the lot and subsequently sold some of the goods. He had a receipt from Longden for the amount.
Longden said Simpson had made a mistake in the purchasing figure. He only received £5 not £8
Simpson maintained that the figure was £8 and added that the furniture was not worth it. The sideboard he bought he could net sell for 2s. 6d.; it was rotten.
D.Scrgt. Snell said he received Longden into custody from the Metropolitan police and when cautioned and charged he made no reply.
Longden had nothing to say.
Supt. T. Horton said there was a second charge which Longden wished to be taken into consideration. The charge, which was from Cannock, Staffordshire, was one of making a false entry in a register on Jan. 25th 1932, for the purpose of marrying Alice Beatrice Barber.
Mr. R. A. Burns (magistrates’ assistant Clerk): Do you admit that?
Longden: ‘Yes, sir.
Supt. T. Horton then read oat Longden’s previous convictions. There were seven, commencing in 1915 at Stafford Quarter Sessions with six months hard labour. The other offences had been committed at Leek, Great Malvern, Derby, Coventry, Macclesfield and Whitechurch.
Longden said he had been in hospital for the last twelve months. He had not lived with his family. He was last living with them about eight years ago and he had not seen his wife since.
Mr. S. C. Ward (presiding magistrate): You have a very shocking record.
Longden : Circumstances alter cases, sir.
Mr. Ward said they were taking into consideration the false entry charge when committing Longden to prison for six months.