Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 20 August 1909

Elizabeth Bowers, widow, late of Shirley, was charged with stealing, on the 13th of August, a cheque for £1 14s., the property of William Bull, of the same place.—Supt. Burford said the woman, who had come from the Workhouse, had acted as housekeeper to the prosecutor for the last few weeks.—Bull, a roadman, said he was in the habit of receiving his wages once a fortnight, by cheque. He expected a letter on Saturday last with a cheque for £1 14s. He spoke to the postman, and then went and saw Mr. Baimbridge, butcher, in the village, and in consequence of what he said witness reported The matter to the police.—Mr. J. Twemlow, surveyor to the Ashbourn Kural Council! said Bull’s wages were invariably sent by cheque once fortnight. Referring to a counterfoil witness said that on the 12th of August cheque for £1 14s. in favour of Bull was made out and duly forwarded.— Mr. E. Baimbridge deposed to cashing the cheque for the woman, under the belief that as usual she would hand the money to Mr. Bull.—The defendant admitted that she had cashed the cheque, and asked for the case to be disposed of there,—Constable Moore said he arrested the defendant at Liverpool on Monday last, when she made a certain statement about her alleged relations with Bull.—Bowers was then charged with stealing a blanket, and pleaded guilty.—Sentence of one month’s imprisonment in the second division was passed each case, the sentences to run concurrently. It was stated that the woman had lived in Derby for a good many years, and had borne an excellent character.