Cambridge Independent Press 4 Aug 1855: fruit stolen from Mr Rowling
An Irishman Charged with Stealing Fruit. — On Monday last, John Dains, an Irishman, was brought before Mr. Ficklin, at Mr. Barlow’s office, charged with stealing fruit on Sunday morning, from a garden belonging to Mr. Rowling, of Trumpington. Magistrate, to the defendant: “What have you to say?” Defendant: “Please your Worship, I’ll throw myself upon the mercy of the Court, and I hope you will have mercy upon me.” — Magistrate: “What are you?” Defendant: “I am an Irishman: I came to this country in my youthful days.” — Magistrate: “What have you to say in answer to the charge?” Defendant: “Please your Worship, I acknowledge I’ve committed myself, and ye may do as ye plase with me.” — Magistrate: “What is your employment?” Defendant: “To tell ye the truth, you Worship, I want to get up to Babraham for work, and I hope ye will have pity on me”. Magistrate: “It is a very serious offence, and you must either pay the expenses or go to prison.” —Defendant: “I haven’t got one farthing in the world.” — Magistrate: “Then you must go to prison for seven days, with hard labour, and take care for the future.” Defendant: “I am much obleeged to your Worship, I’ll take care another time.”