QSR1880/1/5/3/b

Depositions of Charles Hollingworth Hewett, Straw Plait Merchant of George Street in Luton, William Hales, of High Town Road, Luton, Frank Arthur Horne, of Wellington Terrace, Luton, Walter Hales, a prisoner under sentence and Samuel Kitchener, of the Luton police force, £10. In the case of Frederick Tyler accused of stealing 2 bundles of canton plait.

29 October 1879

From: 1879 To: 1880

Charles Hollingsworth Hewett: a plait merchant at George Street in Luton and he also had another warehouse in Castle Street, Luton. The prisoner had been occasionally employed by him at the warehouse in Castle Street. Tyler worked for him between November 1878 and January 1879 and knew the premises well. Tyler had no authority to take plait from the warehouse. Walter Hales: a prisoner under sentence. He knew the prisoner; he had worked for Mr Hewett and knew his premises well. He saw the prisoner on 28 July 1879 when he called a Castle Street and asked Hales what he had got about. He told Tyler there was nothing. Tyler mentioned the stuff in the drying room and he was told he could not have that. He said there must be something and that he was going to Lowestoft the next day. There was some white plait which had been sent up from the shop to be rebleached and Tyler took a bundle of it away in bag. It was white canton. After Tyler returned from Lowestoft, he came and said good morning and walked into the warehouse and picked up a bundle of black plait. Hales asked him what he had but he said nothing. Hales said he thought he had some black plait and that he must not take it, so Tyler left it but took 10 pieces of canton which had been lying in the passage. Hales followed him to the White Hart public house and told him to bring the plait back. Tyler brought it back and said he must have something as he had a county court summons to pay. Tyler went upstairs and took a bundle of white canton. Hales allowed him to take it as it had not been accounted for and was odd rebleached lots. Tyler took it away. Hales received nothing for the plait. William Hales: He worked for Mr Hewett at Castle Street and he knew the prisoner. He recalled him coming to Castle Street about 10 weeks earlier with an empty bag on his arm. He told his father Tyler had taken something and went after him and brought him back. The prisoner said he would have something. Tyler went upstairs and came down with something in his bag. He was almost sure that it was a bundle of plait. The plait was not locked up and it lay in a passage. He had not seen the prisoner at the firm for about 4 months. (Cross examination) it had been about 11 weeks since he saw Tyler with the bag. He had told his father but not Mr Hewett. He was not a friend of Tyler. He only began to think about his father stealing when he saw Hopkins and he did not say a worked about it until his father was taken up. Frank Arthur Horne: a plait salesman who was in the employ of Mr Hewett until 11 October 1879. He resided at 5 Wellington Terrace, Dunstable. Whilst in the exercise yard at the Police Station, whilst in custody, a conversation took place between himself and the prisoner. Tyler told him he would plead guilty and said young Will Hales had been put in the witness box on Saturday and had said he only knew of one bundle. (Cross examination) He had been alone in the exercise yard with the prisoner. He had not been put there as a spy. They spoke in a corner and he had not said he was to be let off. He had said he was going to plead guilty. He had a talk with Mr Hewett before the hearing with the magistrate. Samuel Kitchener: he apprehended Tyler on 14 October 1879 and charged him with stealing 2 bundles of white canton plait. Tyler made no reply.

item

Tyler, Frederick,
Hewett, Charles Hollingsworth,
Hales, William,
Horne, Frank Arthur,
Kitchener, Samuel,
Hales, Walter

LUTON, Luton George Street, Luton High Town Road, Luton White Hart, Luton Castle Street, straw plait dealer, stealing, Straw Plait