QSR1850/1/5/14/a

Depositions of William Deeley, dealer of Ivinghoe, Joseph Attwood, labourer of Dunstable, Cornelius Sharpe, police constable, and Peter Plummer, police constable. In the case of Maria Cooper accused of stealing from the person

16 November 1849

From: 1849 To: 1850

William Deeley: he met Maria Cooper in a public house in Dunstable and bought her a drink. They walked together into a meadow near the town and went to another public house where they drank rum. They then went to a shed together and he took the purse from his breeches and put it in his smock pocket. After some time he felt the accused remove the purse. He asked her to give it up, she refused and he attempted to take it by force. She shouted ‘murder’; people came up and pulled him away from her. He went with Joseph Attword to search for a police constable. Joseph Attwood: on 12 November around 10.30pm he heard the cry of 'Murder' from Mr Marshall's field. He came across the accused and the prosecutor, the prosecutor claim to have been robbed of 6 sovereigns by the accused. He accompanied Deeley to find a police constable. Cornelius Sharpe: was approached by Deeley, who claimed to have been robbed of a purse containing more than 6 pounds. He went back to the shed and met Maria Cooper. He took her into custody and asked her to empty her pocket. he saw her take something out and put it in the pocket of her gown. It was the handkerchief Deeley claimed to be his. Deeley was quite sober. Peter Plummer: spoke to the prisoner whilst in the cage. She asked if the money had been found and suggested it may be found in the shed. She detailed to him how she had met Deeley, and had seen his purse. She stated that as they went to the shed she had seen him fumble in his breeches pocket, take something out and put it under his arm.

item

Cooper, Maria,
Deeley, William,
Attwood, Joseph,
Sharpe, Cornelius,
Plummer, Peter,
Marshall

DUNSTABLE, Ivinghoe, stealing, coins, handkerchief