QSR1843/3/5/26

Depositions and examination - Robert Roe charged with stealing 4 shillings, 4 sixpences and a cotton purse from Thomas Sinfield

26 May 1843

From: 1843 To: 1843

Charlotte Sinfield wife of Thomas Sinfield of Toddington - she was at the plait market at Dunstable on 1 March. She had a long cotton purse with one wire ring. She did not take any money in it. She received money for her plait and paid some away, leaving 8s in shillings and sixpences. She went into the Red Lion Public House for refreshment. She took her purse out there and thought she put it into her pocket again. She left the house and about an hour later missed her purse. The following Wednesday she was told by John Brown of Eaton Bray that Robert Roe had picked up a purse in the Red Lion on the day she lost it. She does not recollect seeing Roe in the Red Lion. There were several persons - the only ones she knew were William Fox and John Ellis. Thomas Sinfield - from information he recieved he went to Roe's house at Eaton Bray on Thursday 9 March. He said to Roe that his wife had lost some money at the Red Lion and he understood Roe found it, and that if Roe gave it to him he would give him what he desired for picking it up. Roe asked what he would give, where she left it and how much was there. He told Roe she lost it at the Red Lion and that there was 8s. Roe said he only saw 6. Roe also asked what sort of purse it was. He said a net purse with one ring. Roe said "so it was and I picked it up underneath the table at the Red Lion". Roe also said they had spent part of the money but he was willing to give him 3s 6d they didn't spend but he couldn't give it now and would send it tomorrow week. Roe said he would see the other men and if they would give their part of what was spent he would give his part and send it all. Not hearing anything from Roe for 3 or 4 weeks he sent him a note but he took no notice. After that he went to Roe again and told him that if he did not give him the money he would have him brought before a magistrate. Roe said he did not care and would not give it to him. Samuel Hornal, police constable - yesterday (25 May) he went to Roe and told him he came about the money he had picked up at the Red Lion on Ash Wednesday. Roe said he was the man who picked it up but George Wood and Robert Thorn had some of it as well as him. He asked Roe what sort of purse it was. He said it was a purse with one ring. Roe also said he believed it was the woman's money. Robert Roe - he did not know it was his [Sinfield's] money when he came to him. Sinfield never saw the money or the purse. He told Sinfield then he did not wish to retain his money. He would have sent him the 3s 6d only he abused him and he would not give it that day. He picked it up at the Red Lion and there were 6 shillings in it. He never saw the woman in the room. There were four others besides him present and they shared the money with him. He picked it up on Ash Wednesday. He does not know what became of the purse.

item

Roe, Robert,
Sinfield, Thomas,
Sinfield, Charlotte,
Hornal, Samuel,
Brown, John,
Fox, William,
Ellis, John,
Wood, George,
Thorn, Robert

DUNSTABLE, TODDINGTON, EATON BRAY, stealing, money, Straw Plait, markets, Dunstable Red Lion