QSR1850/4/5/16/a

Depositions of Henry Sibley, gentleman of Luton, Joseph Mantua, jeweller, William Warren, shoemaker and John Millard, constable, all of Luton. In the case of Mark Sinfield charged with stealing a 5 shilling bank token, a shilling and sixpenny bank token, a sixpence and a silver coin of France

24 September 1850

From: 1850 To: 1850

Henry Sibley: he had bought a quantity of old coins which had had obtained at Mackrey End House and he took them home to Wellington Street in Luton. They were wrapped in a handkerchief within a carpet bag. On examining the contents of the carpet bag, he found he did not have the quantity of coins he expected. On the 26 September he went to the shop of Joshua Mantua and asked if he had been at the sale in Mackrey End. he said no, but he did have some coins from there. He then produced 3 coins, which Sibley considered to be those which he had lost. Mark Sinfield was employed by Sibley to assist with packing up and had had access to the carpet bag. Joseph Mantua: On the 24 September, Mr Warren came to his shop and offered him 3 coins, which he purchased. They were a five shilling bank token of the reign of George III, an eighteen penny bank token of the same reign, and a French piece of Louis XXVI. When asked where he had got them, Warren told him from a gentleman who had attended the sale at Mackrey End. Mr Sibley came to him on 26 September and he sold Sibley of his purchased. Sibley immediately identified then as his property. William Warren: on 24 September, he went to see Mark Sinfield to fetch a pair of shoes, and Sinfield owed him sixpence. Sinfield pulled out a coin and asked if he wished to buy it. He then showed him some other coins but Warren said they were no use to him. They then went to the public house together where they agreed Warren would make him a pair of boys shoes plus a shilling for the 3 coins. Soon after, Warren took the coins to Joseph Mantua's shop in Luton and he sold him the 3 coins. John Millard: he took Sinfield into custody. He denied stealing the coins or selling them. He later said that he had sold some which he had found among some rubbish at a sale. Sinfield then said that he knew he had done wrong and was sorry he had not told Mr Sibley of his find, when he knew Sibley had lost some coins.

item

Sinfield, Mark,
Sibley, Henry,
Mantua, Joseph,
Warren, William,
Millard, John

LUTON, Luton Wellington Street, stealing, coins, money, shoemaker, jeweller