Cambridge Independent Press 7 Jun 1879: Cheese stolen from Joe Nightingale

SATURDAY. — Before R.G. Wale, I.H. Wilkinson, E.B. Foster, and J.O. Daintree, Esqs.

STEALING CHEESE

William Chambers, labourer, and Sarah Elsbury were charged with stealing a certain quantity of cheese, the property of Mr. J. Nightingale, publican, Trumpington, on the 26th of May.

Mrs. Nightingale said: On Monday evening the male prisoner came into my house, and called for a pint of beer and one pennyworth of cheese. I served him with the beer. The female prisoner came in before I cut the cheese. The prisoners saw me put the cheese back in the cupboard in the taproom. I locked the cupboard door, but left the key in. I then went to the bar, pulling the taproom door to after me. The prisoners were left in the room alone. They both went out together soon after. I saw them leave the house. When I went to the cupboard for the cheese later on, I saw it was gone. No one else had been in the room since the prisoners had left. There was about 2lbs, of cheese, and it was worth 1s. 6d. That produced is mine, and is part of that I lost from the cupboard.

P.c. Everett said: On Monday night I received information of the loss of the cheese. On Tuesday morning in consequence of that and further information, I traced the prisoners to Harston. I found them in the Green Man Inn. I told them who I was, that some cheese had been stolen from a public house at Trumpington, and that they were suspected of having stolen it. The man said, “I don’t know anything about it.” A large basket was standing between them. I asked the man if it was his property. He said, “Yes.” I searched it, and found the two pieces of cheese which I now produce. The man said, “That’s my property: I bought it at Cambridge.” I charged him with stealing it. He said, ‘You can’t do anything with me, because I am innocent.” After a short pause, he said “I’m not answerable for what she has done. I am quite innocent myself.” As I was conveying them along the road to Trumpington, the woman, who was the worse for drink, said, “I don’t care a ——— I have done nothing wrong myself, but I have seen him.”

The male prisoner, upon being asked if he had anything to say, said the cheese was his own, and he had bought it at London.

They were each sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labour.