QSR1841/1/5/25

Depositions and examination - Thomas Stonnell charged with stealing herrings

14 December 1840

From: 1840 To: 1841

Charlotte Woodward wife of Edmund Woodward of Luton, dealer in fish - on Saturday evening she missed 5 herrings from a quantity outside her husband's house. Mrs Wright called her and gave her a herring she said the prisoner had dropped. The prisoner came to her and offered her a penny for the herring if he stole it - she would not take it as she knew there were more gone. Elizabeth Wright - she was standing against her door and saw Thomas Stonnell take some herrings off a tub standing on the board in front of Mrs Woodward's window. She saw him slip them into his pocket. One slipped out and fell on the ground. She ran after him a little way, then called Mrs Woodward and told her. She saw Stonnell come back and speak to Mrs Woodward Henry Smalley - he went to Mrs Woodward's house. She said Stonnell had offered to pay for one herring but she had lost more. He found Stonnell in a public house. He admitted taking one but said he did not take any more. He brought Stonnell to Mrs Woodward and sent for Mrs Wright who identified him. Stonnell then said he never took any. He searched Stonnell but he had not got any - this was 2 hours after he had taken them.

item

Stonnell, Thomas,
Woodward, Edmund,
Woodward, Charlotte,
Wright, Elizabeth,
Smalley, Henry

LUTON, fish dealer, stealing, fish