QSR1850/3/5/2/a

Depositions George Gregory, farmer of Luton, George Toyer, bonnet presser of Luton and John Millard, police constable of Luton. In the case of Matthew Tomalin, accused of stealing a live fowl.

24 April 1850

From: 1850 To: 1850

George Gregory: On 5 April he saw the hen in question sitting on a nest of eggs in his garden in Dunstable Street, Luton. On the 8 April he saw someone had broken through his hedge and the hen and eggs were gone. There were visible footprints between the hedge and the nest and back again. George Toyer: on 16 April Matthew Tomalin asked him to exchange a hen and 8 chickens for a game hen and 15 eggs. The exchange was made. John Millard: on detaining Tomalin, Tomalin said he did not steal the hen and eggs. Tomlin said he had met a man who asked him if he wished to buy a hen and some eggs on which she was sitting. He said he did, so arranged to meet the man up the Dunstable Road in Luton, and paid 2 shillings for them. He took them home and hatched 8 of the eggs. Millard went to examine the footprints left at Gregory’s house and found them to be remarkably long. Millard was able to see the shoes would have had a tip on the heel and toes and 3 long rows of nails on them. The prisoners' shoes would have made imprints like those found.

item

Tomalin, Matthew,
Gregory, George,
Toyer, George,
Millard, John

LUTON, Luton Dunstable Street, Luton Dunstable Road, stealing, fowl