QSR1852/1/5/27/a

Depositions of John Webdale, shopkeeper of Luton and William Edward Bayldon, of Luton. In the case of Mary Ann Smith accused of stealing a pair of cotton braces and a brush.

29 December 1851

From: 1851 To: 1852

John Webdale: on 26 December the prisoner came to his shop. She said she was returned a pair of braces she had stolen from him. He said that he was missing a brush too. She said that she had taken that at the same time form the window on the previous Tuesday. He had missed them on the Wednesday. She said she had thrown the brush away. She said that she had done it on purpose to be taken into custody. He sent for Mr Bayldon and she was taken into custody. She said that if he did not give her into custody she would rob someone else. William Edward Bayldon: Mr Webdale came to him and said he had a woman in his shop who had stolen a pair of braces and a brush. He went to the shop and asked her why. She said she wanted to be taken into custody as it was better than the union. She told him she was distress and had slept under hedge the night before and would rather be in gaol.

item

Smith, Mary Ann,
Webdale, John,
Bayldon, William

LUTON, stealing, household goods, clothing