QSR1852/4/5/13-14/a

Depositions of Elizabeth Sayell, singlewoman of Leighton Buzzard, John Sharman, labourer of Luton, Alfred Atherton Murfin, police constable of Luton, James Smith, bailiff of Luton, William Larman, police constable and James Brett of Luton. In the case of John Williams accused of stealing a purse, a £10 bank note, a sovereign, 4 shillings and sixpence. Also & Henry Dean accused of aiding and abetting John Williams.

25 September 1852

From: 1852 To: 1852

Elizabeth Sayell: was working at the theatre at Luton Station on 24 September. A young man came and asked if she had missed anything, she felt in her pocket and found she had lost her purse. It contained a £10 note, a sovereign, 4 shillings and sixpence. The note was wrapped in a piece of brown paper. The note was written on a good deal and had a corner cut off. John Sharman: he was standing working at the theatre and noticed the 2 prisoners. He saw the younger go round Elizabeth Sayell and then walk away. He then saw the elder touch Sayell's pocket and he saw him pass something to his right hand. The prisoner stood there a few minutes and then walked away. Sharman asked Sayell is she missed anything and she found her purse gone. Sharman went for Constable Murfin. Alfred Atherton Murfin: went with Sharman in pursuit of the prisoners and they found them near the George. They followed them until they were near the Town Hall. Murfin took the elder into custody and Constable Larman took the younger. On going to the police station the elder was seen to have the note in his left hand. James Brett had been asked to help take the prisoners to the station and he said the prisoner had put it into his mouth. Murfin grabbed him by the throat to stop him swallowing but the prisoner succeeded in swallowing. On getting to the station he searched the prisoner and found in his pocket a sovereign, 4 shillings and sixpence. Murfin advised Superintendent Bayldon of what had occurred and they gave the prisoner an emetic to make the prisoner vomit. About 2 hours afterwards the prisoner began to vomit into a bowl. James Smith, who was present saw the note and put his hand into the bowl to retrieve the note. James Smith: a parish constable and was asked by My Bayldon to attend the police station. He was asked to assist with giving the elder prisoner an emetic. The prisoner was forced to take it and about 2 hours later the emetic worked. The prisoner vomited into bowl and Smith saw something come out of his mouth. Smith his hand in the bowl and fetched out the note. William Larman: on going to the station with the younger prisoner, he saw the elder prisoner take something from his left hand pocket. He called Murfin to tell him and at that moment the prisoner put his hand to his mouth. On reaching the station he searched the younger prisoner and found 3 shillings and sixpence in silver, a penny and a piece of paper the prosecutor believed to be the paper she had wrapped the note in. Larman had seen the 2 prisoners come into town on 23 September with 2 others and a female. James Brett: was called upon by Constable Murfin to assist in taking the elder prisoner to the police station. As they were going along he saw the prisoner take something from his pocket and put it in his mouth.

item

Williams, John,
Dean, Henry,
Bayldon, William,
Sayell, Elizabeth,
Sharman, John,
Murfin, Alfred Atherton,
Smith, James,
Larman, William,
Brett, James

LUTON, stealing, banknotes, coins, aiding & abetting, hawkers, bailiffs