Gold thief, 24, went on spending spree, losing £40 on horse racing

On Ribbleton Lane, at the corner of Hilton Street, Preston, there was in 1880 a public house named the Anchor's Weighed Inn, a popular pub run by Joseph Thornley.

- with Keith Johnson

Next door to the public house was the provisions shop of Thomas Entwistle who was on good terms with his neighbour, their premises sharing a backyard wall.

On the last Saturday of July 1880 Mr. Entwistle went to bed, having previously made all the doors and windows secure. He had in a drawer in the shop £128 in gold in packets (equivalent to £1,250 in today's money) which he saw safe before retiring to bed.

On the Sunday afternoon at three o'clock he went to the drawer for some money, but upon opening it he found that all the gold coins had been taken away. He then examined his premises for signs of a break in. All the doors and windows were still secure but going down into the cellar he noticed that the cellar grate had been lifted up and realised the thief must have entered that way.