QSR1851/1/5/20/a

Depositions of Ann Thrussell, widow, Jane Calver, John Millard, police constable, and John Cumberland, auctioneer all of Luton. In the case of George Bacchus accused of stealing a pair of linen sheets, a damask tabel cloth, a feather pillow, a blanket and a clothes brush,

12 November 1850

From: 1849 To: 1851

John Cumberland: on 29 October he received instructions to sell some property of the deceased Miss Knowles, of London Road in Luton. He particularly noticed 2 damask table clothes, and a quantity of sheets and blankets. On 1 November he had the items moved to his auction room for convenience of sale. George Bacchus and George Foster were employed to assist. On 2 November, Cumberland missed the table clothes. On Monday 11 November, he met with Bacchus as the police station, where Bacchus confessed to taking a pair of sheets, a table cloth, a feather pillow, a blanket and a clothes brush. He said he had burnt all but the blanket and he would have confessed on the Saturday night had he not been confused. Ann Thrussell: lived with the late Miss Knowles at the widow cottage. She lived upstairs and Miss Knowles lived below. She saw Miss Knowles property removed by George Bacchus and George Foster. Jane Calver: on 1 November, the wife of George Bacchus came to her house with a bundle. Mrs Bacchus asked her to look after the blanket. Sergeant Millard later came and took it into custody. John Millard: took the prisoner into custody and charged him. Bacchus said he knew nothing of the charge. He was then given the bundle containing a feather pillow and a blanket. Bacchus asked to speak to him, and asked if he could see Mr Cumberland. Bacchus said that after clearing the cottage, he and Foster stopped the cart and divided some tings between them. They repeated this on a second visit. Bacchus said he understood why his wife had taken the items to her sisters (Jane Calver) as he felt so uneasy. On Wednesday, Bacchus took the item up Hart Hill and burnt them. Millard asked if this was what he wanted to tell the magistrate and he said it was and that he'd tell him he was guilty. Cumberland came to the station and the prisoner told him what he had done.

item

Bacchus, George,
Thrussell, Ann,
Calver, Jane,
Millard, John,
Cumberland, John,
Knowles

stealing, household goods, LUTON, Luton London Road, Luton Hart Hill, auctioneer