Carlisle Patriot 01 June 1844 01 June 1844 Magistrates' Office Courts

01 June 1844 Magistrates' Office Courts

MAGISTRATES' OFFICE          COURTS         CARLISLE           MAY 25. Present: W. HODGSON, Esq. W. N. HODGSON, Esq. Rev. J. HEYSHAM Rev. W. REES        David NORMAN, who keeps a beer-house at the foot of the Water Lane, appeared to answer the complaint of Mr. John STUDHOLME of Morton, for having obtained from him the sum of £2 13s 6d., under false pretenses.        Mr. STUDHOLME stated, that for some weeks since the defendant and a person named RUDDICK had called upon him for payment of work done to a well on one of the farms of Mr. STANDISH, of Watch Cross, but he refused to pay it without some sort of certificate from the tenant that the work charged for had been really done. Subsequently they produced what purported  to be a certificate from the tenant, stating that the work had been properly done; but he, Mr. STUDHOLME, still suspected the parties, and therefore took down in writing from the statement of the defendant and RUDDICK, the dates on which they alleged they had been employed at the well. This they both signed, and he then paid their claim, which was for seven days work, amounting to £2 13s 6d.        On subsequent inquiry he found that, in point of fact, they had not worked more than two days at the well, and this was specified in the certificate originally given to them by the tenant; but they had destroyed this document and substituted a forged one in its room, omitting all mention of the days they had been employed. It also stated that on hearing that proceedings were about to be taken in the matter, RUDDICK had absconded.        The facts were fully proved by the witnesses called by Mr. STUDHOLME. The defendant denied being a party to the fraud. He said he had been employed by RUDDICK, and merely went with him to Mr. STUDHOLME's to receive his wages, and that in signing the paper alluded to, he had acted under the impression that he was given a receipt for his wages.        The Bench considered that a prima facie case of fraud had been made out, and determined to send NORMAN to take his trial at the sessions. He was subsequently admitted to bail, himself in £40, and two sureties of £20 each.

 

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