QSR1852/1/5/28-29/a

Depositions of Thomas Gregory, of Luton, Sarah Shrimpton and George Spilsbury. In the case of Thomas Hutchins & John Farr accused of stealing 6 and a half pounds of lead.

1 January 1852

From: 1851 To: 1852

Thomas Gregory: he was working with his father laying down gas pipes in Luton. On 24 December he went to Mr Ellards [?] in Church Street to fetch a hundred weight of lead in a wheelbarrow. When he got to the top of Bute Street, he stopped to rest. The lead was intended to mend joint in the pipes and he was taking it to Wellington Street. At Bute Street he was approached by Farr, who asked for a little bit of the lead. It was apiece about 1/2 a pound in weight. He let him have it. Farr put this smock frock over the barrow. Hutchins stood about 10 yards away against a lamp post. Farr & Hutchins went off down Bute Street and Gregory noticed Farr had something under his smock. When he got to the top of Wellington Street and was about to out the lead into the melting pot, he notice another piece of lead missing from the barrow. On seeing Farr & Hutchins on the following Monday they said they had sold the big bit of lead at Shrimptons. Sarah Shrimpton: on 24 December, the prisoner Hutchins came to her husband’s house. He brought a piece of lead for sale. She told him she did not know about buying it and asked where he lived. He told her Church Street. When asked his name, he told her Smith. She weighed the lead and it weighed 6 and a half pounds. She paid him for it. George Spilsbury: worked for Mr Shrimpton and on 26 December he clean item which had been brought into his master back house over the last few days. On of the items was the lead. On 31 December, constable Murfin came for the lad and his master gave it to him in the barn in his presence.

item

Hutchins, Thomas,
Farr, John,
Gregory, Thomas,
Shrimpton, Sarah,
Spilsbury, George

LUTON, Luton Bute Street, Luton Wellington Street, Luton Church Street, gas, stealing, lead