LAW & ORDER – Robberies of wearing apparel at Coatham important to pawnbrokers

Accreditation The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 16/11/1877.

ROBBERIES OF WEARING APPAREL AT COATHAM
IMPORTANT TO PAWNBROKERS

            In connection with an application which was made to the magistrates at Guisborough on Tuesday (13/11), a point of considerable interest to pawnbrokers was raised. The applicant Christopher Johnson, stated that whilst living at Coatham about four months ago, he was robbed of several articles by his washerwoman, who afterwards pledged them with a pawnbroker at Middlesbrough. The articles were recovered by the police, and he thought it was time they were handed to him. Superintendent Clarkson said the case was still in the hands of the police, and they were trying to find the offender. Admiral Chaloner: What are the stall articles?-Admiral Chaloner: is the pawnbroker here, superintendent Clarkson: No, sir. I may say for the information of the Bench that the applicant went with the place to the pawnbroker’s establishment at Middlesbrough all, and at the time of their visit the stolen goods were being pledged. The applicant, however, was unable to identify them, and the woman got away. Mr. Jas. Lowther, M.P., thought that after so much time had elapsed the applicant was entitled to his property. Mr. Trevor: There is this difference in the case, the pawnbroker has advanced his money upon them. – Superintendent Clarkson remarked that an advance was made by the pawnbroker; and, considering the peculiar circumstances of the case, it would be hard on the pawnbroker, if he was not in some measure recouped for his loss. When the applicant engaged the washerwoman to wash for him he knew that she was a bad character, because a policeman told him that she had just come out of prison for robbery. After stealing the applicant’s goods she got another woman to pledge them, and the pawnbroker, knowing this woman to be a respectable person, never suspected anything wrong, and advanced a sum upon them. Mr. Lowther: Where is the washerwoman?-Superintendent Clarkson: She cannot be found, sir. I obtained her photograph from Northallerton Gaol, and sent copies all over, but I can find no trace of her? Mr. Lowther: is there any hope of ever finding her? – Superintendent Clarkson: I have no hope at present. – A suggestion was made that there should be, under the circumstances, some mutual arrangement between the landlord and the pawnbroker; but Mr. Lowther observed that pawnbrokers were very indiscreet, and not entitled to much consideration. In the present case, however, he thought it should be further looked into, and the application was adjourned.

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Lol Hansom December 29, 2014 Coatham, Law & Order