Old Man Obtains Beer By Deception.

SOLIHULL POLICE COURT. Tuesday 2 January 1894.
At this court, before Messrs. Everitt and Lord,
George Shakespeare, an elderly man living at Yardley, was charged with obtaining beer of the value of £2. 7s. from Jane Chinn, of the Talbot Inn, Yardley.
Mr. Stubbins prosecuted, and Mr. A. J. Rowlands defended.
The evidence for the prosecution showed that the prisoner, whilst working for his brother Mr. William Shakespeare in November, 1892,
went to the Talbot Inn and obtained beer on the representation that his brother had authorised him to do so, and would defray the cost.
The prosecutrix did not enquire into the truth of this statement, but let the account run on for ten months before she applied to Mr. William Shakespeare for payment.
The latter denied that he gave the prisoner authority to obtain the beer, Mr. Rowlands submitted that there was no false pretence, and that the case was one for a civil and not a criminal court.
The Bench, however, committed the prisoner to the assizes for trial, but allowed him bail.

WARWICKSHIRE ASSIZES. Friday 9 March 1894
Acquited. - George Shakespeare was indicted for obtaining beer and spirits by false pretences from Jane Chinn, publican, of Yardley.
The judge held that there was no evidence to support a criminal prosecution, and directed an acquittal.