QSR1853/1/5/21,47/a

Depositions of Noah Bond, baker of Luton, James Maddocks, stiffening maker of Luton, his wife Mary Ann, Norman Snoxall, police constable of Luton and Alfred Atherton Murfin, police constable of Luton. In the case of Thomas Gibbs and William Hudson accused of stealing 2 pecks of flour.

13 December 1852

From: 1852 To: 1853

James Maddocks: on 29 November William Hudson came and asked him where he bought his flour and what he gave for it. He told him a shilling and 9 pence a peck. Hudson said he should have it off his master, Noah Bond for 18 pence a peck. Maddocks asked if it was stolen, but Hudson said no and it was agreed that Maddocks would take a peck. Hudson delivered that evening and was paid 18 pence. Hudson asked whether he wanted more flour and Maddocks said to bring more on Friday. More was brought to Maddocks on Thursday whilst he was out. He later saw Hudson & Gibbs in the Wagon & Horses where they were drinking but nothing was said of the flour. Maddocks was later taken into custody for receiving flour he knew to be stolen. He was locked up at the station in the same cell as Hudson, with Gibbs in the next cell. Gibbs denied knowing of the theft but Hudson said Gibbs had part of the money and had spent it on beer. Maddocks told them they had got him in a fine mess and he would not have had the flour if he had known it stolen. Hudson said that he did not count it as stealing as his master robbed the public and he had as much right to it as his master. Maddocks was moved to a cell with Gibbs. Gibbs said it was not him who had caused the bother but Hudson. Mary Ann Maddocks: wife of James. On 2 December William Hudson brought some flour to her husbands house, but her husband was not home. She paid him 18 pence for it. There was no other flour in the house at the time. Constable Murfin came to the house and took the flour. Norman Snoxall: was called by Gibbs when he was in the police station and Gibbs asked to see Noah Bond. Snoxall said he could give him a message for Bond and Gibbs said he believed the flour to be stolen but he had not been with Hudson when he took it. They had shared the money and drank together and he was very sorry for it and hoped Bond would speak to the magistrates on his behalf as he had been drawn into by Hudson. Alfred Atherton Murfin: on 9 December he made a search of Hudson and Maddock's houses. At Maddocks house he found the flour upstairs. Maddocks showed him where it was and when he brought it down Mrs Maddocks said it was the flour which hudson had brought. Both prisoners said they knew nothing of the flour stolen from Mr bond. Noah Bond: a baker of Luton and both the prisoners were in his employment. Neither prisoner was authorised to sell flour on his behalf nor did he not receive any for the flour which they sold. Thomas Gibbs sent for him on from the police station. Gibbs said he was very sorry he had been drawn into the affair but he did know about the theft but was not there when it occurred. Gibbs hoped Bond would mercifully speak for him as he had drank beer with Hudson.

item

Gibbs, Thomas,
Hudson, William,
Bond, Noah,
Maddocks, James,
Maddocks, Mary Ann,
Snoxall, Norman,
Murfin, Alfred Atherton

LUTON, eggs, Luton Wagon & Horses, flour, stealing, baker