Transcript of extract from the indictment of Joseph Morris for obtaining money while pretending to collect funds for Blackburn Ragged School, 1889
Catalogue reference: ASSI 51/52

'Lancashire to wit. } The Jurors for our Lady the Queen upon their Oath Spring Assize County No 2.} present that Joseph Morris (Pleaded Guilty) on the third day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty nine at the Borough of Blackburn in the County of Lancaster unlawfully knowingly and designedly did falsely pretend to one Daniel Sutcliffe that he the said Joseph Morris was authorised to collect subscriptions for the Blackburn Ragged School By means of which said false pretence the said Joseph Morris did then and there unlawfully obtain from the said Daniel Sutcliffe five shillings in money his property with intent to defraud Whereas in truth and in fact the said Joseph Morris was not authorised to collect subscriptions for the Blackburn Ragged School as he the said Joseph Morris well knew at the time when he did so falsely pretend to the said Daniel Sutcliffe as aforesaid against the form of the Statute in such case made and provided.

Second Count. And the Jurors aforesaid upon their Oath aforesaid do further present that Joseph Morris on the sixth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty nine at the Borough of Blackburn in the County of Lancaster unlawfully knowingly and designedly did falsely pretend to one James Thompson that he the said Joseph Morris was collecting for the Blackburn Ragged School and was authorised to receive subscriptions therefor By means of which said false pretence the said Joseph Morris did then and there unlawfully obtain from the said James Thompson two shillings in money his property with intent to defraud Whereas in truth and in fact the said Joseph Morris was not collecting for the Blackburn Ragged School and was not authorised to receive subscriptions therefor as he the said Joseph Morris well knew at the time when he did so falsely pretend to the said James Thompson as aforesaid against the form of the Statute in such case made and provided'.