AWKWARD FIX FOR A BRIDEGROOM.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3674, 24 April 1883, Page 4

AWKWARD FIX FOR A BRIDEGROOM.

Before the ordinary business of the Court commenced on February 2, the Sheffield Town Hall was crowded by eager spectators anxious to see the two jn-isonors Edwin "Willi, schoolmaster, and AVilliam Edwin Brooker, ivory fruit-knife maker, who were arrested on the jirevious morning on their way to Raumoor Church, where AVild was going to meet his bride, Brooker intending to act as best man. They were apprehended by Detective Kemp, and although the bridegroom pleaded earnestly that the marriage ceremony should first take place, the officer drove him aud his best man to the Central police station, where they were charged with stealing a hearth rug and two pairs of boots. The bride, Mrs Fisher, a widow, who has a fortune of over .1! 10,000, was greatly affected at her lover's arrest, remaining hysterical for some time. Prior to tho case being called on, Mr Clegg, who appeared for the prisoners, had an interview with them. They appeared in tho dock in wedding apparel, with light blue neckties, somewhat soiled and ruffled by a night in a prison cell.—Mr Clegg said he for flic prisoners, and if they were charged with the offence they would plead guilty, and he should only have to say something iv mitigation of the penalty. The Chief Constable said there were two charges, one of stealing two pairs of boots, aud the other of stealing a hearthrug. To these charges the prisoners pleaded guilty, and said they wished to be dealt with summarily rather than be committed to the sessions.—Mr Clegg, in mitigation of penalty, said the prisoner AVild was a Board schoolmaster, and had become acquainted with a lady in a very good position in life, and the result of the acquaintance was that the}' were to have been married ou Thursday morning. The position the prisoner occupied before his acquaintance with the lady was very iuferior to what it would have been if the marriage had been celebrated, and his good prospects appeared to have completely turned the prisoner's head. Up to the time when lie committed the foolish aud silly thing with which ho was now charged lie had borne a very high character, and could produce good testimonials from man}' schools ; but with his head turned by bright prospects, lie had gone on the spree, and done things which he now much regretted. There was no money motive for the theft, as both prisoners had friends iv good positions. He hoped tho Stipendiary would only fine the prisoners, and he might add that Wild's conduct had so altered the lady's opinion of him that the marriage was not likely to take place.—The Stipendiary Magistrate fined the prisoners £10 each and costs.