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STRANGE BUT TRUE
The bride ends up in jail The bride was due to be married at Bourne the following morning but rather than sampling the delights of matrimonial bliss, found herself in jail instead. It happened almost 200 years ago when after going to a grocery store to buy provisions, Ann Cox was arrested for stealing, or what would be known today as shop-lifting. The store in question was owned by Edward Wherry and Sons in North Street where Miss Cox filled her basket with tea and soap and while the shop assistant was out at the back, nipped behind the counter and took some cash from the till which she also tucked in her basket. Unfortunately for Miss Cox, the theft was discovered soon after she left the shop and as a result she was detained and brought before the magistrates sitting at the Town Hall where she was charged and remanded in custody to the House of Correction at Folkingham to await trial. The case was heard at the Kesteven Sessions held at the Town Hall on Tuesday 18th October 1831 when she was accused of stealing nine packets of tea, three packets of soap and 7s. 2½d. in coins [£30 at today's value]. She was found guilty and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment. “For someone anticipating the sweets of matrimony”, commented the Stamford Mercury, “it was rather an unfortunate disappointment for the bride elect.” Return to
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