THE CURIOUS CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY

The newspaper article below pertains to John Henry Pitts (1849-1915) of Sheffield.

A special sitting was held in the Grand Jury Room, at the Sheffield Town Hall, yesterday, by Sir John Brown and K. Peace, Esq., to hear the summons taken out against a young man named Bkkardaon, engineer, of (59, Washington-road, and Sarah Gambles, dressmaker, Clarence-street, a young woman, for conspiring and agreeing together to obtain by false pretences from one John Henry Pitts the sum of £12 17s. Id. with intent to cheat and defraud him of the same. Mr. Pattison supported the information and Mr. Clegg defended. opening the case Mr. Pattison remarked that the summons was perhaps the most peculiar which had ever been brought before the Court. The young man question, John Henry Pitts, 23 years of age, and since his infancy had been of weak mind. In law, if Le had estates or property, he would described as a lunatic and unable to manage his own affairs. He did not know sovereigns from farthings. His mother and si«ter took great care when he grew up to instil into his mind the necessity of learning a trade, and by much perseverance they induced him to concentrate his mind upon the occupation of razor setting, which in process time he picked up, and was now able to earn a decent livelihood. His mother had likewise taught him to be careful of his money, and he had saved the sum mentioned the summons The first time that he went to the Dank brother accompanied him, and having explained the bank clerk his brother state the money was always taken afterwards without trouble. The mother got to know that her son had been a good deal m the company of Richardson, and latterly found out that he (Richardson' had induceel the lad to promise to marry the female defendant, Sarah Gambles, who was his sister-in-law The two prevailed on the imbecile to go to the bank and draw out the money, the object being to buy furniture to furnish house which was taken m Richardson's name and where it was intended the couple when married should reside. The furniture was bought, and placed in this house, and when the mother, hearing of the circumstance, forbade the "banns," Richardson refused to turn up the goods" unless he was forced. Mr Pattison contended that Richardson and Gambles'* had connived together to obtain the money to buy furniture for their own house, they knew perfectly well that the young man was m tne state had described and unable to manage his own affairs.— Mr. Clegg urged that Pitts ought be examined. He was not the foolish young man that Mr. Pattison would have them believe him to be.— Pitts, who appeared to be rather deaf was then questioned by Mr. Pattison. He either could not or would not understand what was asked, but he managed to explain, although he spoke rather mdist'nctly, that he did not know the nature of an oath. the request of the Bench, Mr. Supt. Gilley interrogated him, ami he then stated his age and said he earned from 18s to £1 per week at razor setting for Mr. Martin. He appeared quite ignorant of his bank transactions, and some laughter was caused when, in answer to Mr. Clegg, stated that he did not know what a " sweetheart' was. He wrote his name, however, very fairly when requested to do so Sarah Whitaker, of Bailey-street, the mother of Pitte and prosecutrix in the action, was next examined, and supported her attorney's statement. She said further that she hael been twice married, the a-oung man in question being issue by her first husband. When the female defendant came to tell witness that Pitts intended to marry her she said that her son did not understand about marrying. The defendant replied that she was sure he did — In cross-examination by Mr. Clegg it appeared that Pitts was atthebuyingof the furniture, and index! took the principal part in the transaction. It furtner transpired that was a member of funeral benefit society, and hael been certified by the medical officer being " sound and good health ShVdenied that the certificate stated that he was also •of "sound mind." She never heard of anyone else wanting to marry her son... .How old areyou^ Turned forty Aren't you How mucn turned l£^Forty-two...'.. How many years have you forty-two? '{Laughter.) How old -WJ sent husband ?-Witness did not answer Isn the about 28 '-Well, about that.—Mr. Clegg: And you have objections to men women ? (Renewed laughter. -I never objected to the marriage that account-Mr, Clegg produced some neatly-made toothpicks, scarf pins, after much son toldS regarding the furniture she Mid she would that he sain Richardson had bought :it -Mr. Albert Smith: Where is the furniture now ?—Mr. Acre •We have it. We shall bring an action against Pitts for breach of promise of marriage, and we shall want the furniture for damages. (Laughter.)— Mr Pattison : He is not able to undertake the duties of matrimony.-Mr. Clegg: There is many a bigger fool than he married.—Mr. Smith : Many half-witted men make good husbands.—Mr. Clegg : Oh, of course they make the best.—Mr. Smith : The lass is no doubt very fond of him. (Laughter.)— Mr. Clegg: Undoubtedly, and he of her, and but for this interference they would have been married last Monday. It might be said that the girl was worse than he is.—Mr. Pattison : How is he to control a family ?—Mr. Smith : There are hundreds engaged in match-making every day in Sheffield why shouldn't they ?—Mr. Pattison : It is daring attempt to take this man's money. Richardson had no furniture of his own, and he wanted Pitts's money to furnish his own house.—Mr. Clegg : Richardson did not take the money. Pitts was five in his house, and there was only enough of furniture bought to furnish a bed-room.—Sir John Brown said although the lad was weak many respects, he clearly knew what he was doing. He went and deposited his money in the bank, he kept the bank-book, and he doubt was aware of what he was doing when he withdrew his deposit. Certainly there was no case of fraud made out.—Mr. Clegg said that statement should have been made through press, as it was calculated to damage his clients.—Mr. Smith : If persons come into court and make exaggerated assertions, no doubt the reporters will publish them. —Mr. Clegg : I wish have an opportunity of contradicting them, and I say that the statements made are a tissue of falsehoods from beginning to end. —Mr. Smith : Putting everything together I think he is a very intelligent young man.—Mr. Pattison : Could you make any suggestion to their restoring the furniture?— Mr. Clegg : Why should they?— Mr. Pattison : He does not want a wife.—Mr. Clegg : He does want her.—Mr. Smith : He would be a fool if he didn't want her. She would make him a nice wife. —The charge of conspiracy was then dismissed.—Mr. Smith : I have no doubt she will make him understand that she is willing to married if he is. (Laughter.) —Mr. Clegg : They will soon make it up if left alone. —Sir John Brown said the parties left the Court without the slightest stigma of fraud upon either of them.

Source: Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 09 July 1872