Bargoed Journal. — 1906-09-27 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

HIGHWAY ROBBERY.  Louisa George, described as a prostitute, was 11 charged at the Caerphilly Police Court with stealing a watch and chain, value £2 10s., and Rs. 9d. in money, the property of Thomas Jones. Rudry, on September 23rd, and George Bateman, Caerphilly, was charged with receiving same. Thomas Jones. form labourer, living at Rudry House, Rudry, said on September 23rd he left home at 10.30 a.m. He went to Caerphilly on business, and returned home at 4 p.m. He met Bateman and the female defendant at the Pentwyn Farm. He was in the yard at the farm with his son, and she walked out of the yard whilst he was talking to his son. He left about five minutes afterwards and the lady held up her hand to him and called him. He went towards her. She suggested misconduct and he told her to go away. She caught hold of him and put her hand in his right hand pocket and said, "I've got 4d. of your b--- money." He saw the money in her hand; she got the lot then and then went for his watch. They had a struggle and she tried-to throw him hut failed. He had the chain and the defendant the watch. About 7s. or Bs. of his money was gone. The female defendant jumped up on the hedge and handed the watch to Bateman, whom he (prosecutor) saw for the first time. He ran away and told John Evans, of Gwaunybara Farm, of the assault. Whilst they were talking Bateman came up and said, " Here's your watch. Tom." He refused to take it and as the two defendants walked away he ma nt and gave information to the police. Prosecutor said that Bateman was hiding behind the fence and could see him quite plain. He (prosecutor) had met Bateman that morning, but he bad not seen the lady before. He gave Bateman a drink of herb beer that morning at a shop and prosecutor paid for same. He had known Bateman for many years. In the farm yard Bateman was with the female defendant. Cross-examined, prosecutor denied that he desired the girl for any immoral purpose. Bateman also cross-examined prosecutor.  Joserh Haggett, pumpman, Rudry, said on the date in que tion he saw Jones walking home. He could see from their house. In about five or ten m:nutee he came back shouting " murder " and "help." He noticed his waistcoat was ripped. He thm went on to Evans, of Gwaunybara Farm. Witness said that the two defendants at d Tommy George had called at their house for some bread and cheese earlier in the day.  John Evans, farmer, Gwannybara, said that on the date in question he saw Thomas Jones at his door. Jones made a complaint. While they were talking the two p-isoners came up the railway, and the male prisoner shouted, "Tom, here's your watch." They both came across the fence. Jones refused the watch and Evans took it. Subsequently it was handed to the police. Police-constable John Ashton, Rudry, said that on Sunday last he received information at 6.5 p.m. and went in search of prisoners and traced them to Bedwas. With the assistance of Police-constable Evans he arrested them at 9 p.m. He brought them to Caerphilly police station and jointly charged them with the theft, and Bateman replied, "I am not guilty; I am the man that gave it back." The other defendant replied, " I know nothing about it; when he had the use of my body on the floor he took the watch." He received the watch and part of the chain frcm Evans and the other part from Jones. _  In answer to the charge by the Clerk, both defendants pleaded not guilty. Bateman subsequently pleaded guilty of having the watph and the girl guilty of taking the money. Bateman made a speech stating that he had no intention of stealing the watch. As soon as he saw the girl with it he ran down and gave it to Evans. Both defendants had a ,load record and the Chairman said they wouldoth go to gaol for one month with hard labour.