Mexborough and Swinton Times, December 12, 1902

Fraud at Houghton Magna.

At Leeds Assizes, on Saturday, Annie Birkitt (40), housekeeper, pleaded guilty to having obtained by false pretences from Herbert Harry Tomlinson the sum of £11 with intent to defraud, at Houghton Magna, near Barnsley on the 2nd of September.

Mr. J. O. Andrews, who prosecuted, said that the prisoner had been in the service of Mr. Wm. Guest as housekeeper, and had access to the cheque book. She sent a message to the prosecutor asking him if he would cash a cheque for her if she sent it.

Receiving an affirmative reply, she sent a little girl with a cheque for £11.

Asked if she had anything to say to the Court, the prisoner’s only reply was that Mr. Guest did not keep his cheque book locked up.

His Lordship told the prisoner that she had been guilty of forgery, as well as obtaining money by false pretences. As she had no explanation to offer, he must look upon the case as a very serious one, and she must go to prison for twelve calendar months.