QSR1880/1/5/11

Depositions of David Jaquest, police constable of Luton, William Freeman, publican of Bute Street, Luton, James Hardy, publican of Church Street, Dunstable, William Robinson Rabone, silversmith of Park Square, Luton and Samuel Brace, Inspector of Police, Luton. In the case of James Steere accused of uttering counterfeit coin.

8 November 1879

From: 1879 To: 1880

William Freeman: an innkeeper in Bute Street, Luton. On 5 November whilst in Dunstable he called at the Horse & Groom public house. The prisoner was standing at the bar and left almost immediately. He received information at Dunstable and noticed the prisoner at the station. He took at ticket for Luton for the 10 past 5 train. He watched the prisoner leave the train and go up Bute Street and he followed him to the end of Waller Street. He went home but the prisoner came to his house about 20 minutes later and asked for run and shrub, tendering a 2 shilling piece. He found it to be bad and marked it. The prisoner said “if you don’t like that one here’s another” and he took a good one from his pocket. Freeman went round the counter and locked the door and gave the information to the police. (Cross examination) he could tell the coin was bad by the weight of it and before he bit it. He was sure the man was the same as he had seen in Dunstable. There was sufficient light. James Hardy: and innkeeper at the Horse and Groom in Church Street, Dunstable. The prisoner came to the house on 5 November and called for a glass of mild ale. He tendered a 2 shilling piece which Hardy could tell was bad. Hardy bent it and said to Steere that it would not do. Steere gave him a good coin. Steere asked him the next train to town and he told him. Mr Freeman came in; the prisoner drank his beer and walked out. He called Mr Freeman’s attention to the man. (Cross examination)he was certain it was the same man. He was dressed the same except he had previously had a wideawake on. He thought he coin presented was different to he one passed to him. He had bent the coin sufficiently to prevent the prisoner from trying to pass the bad coin again. William Robinson Rabone: a silversmith of Park square in Luton. On 7 November Inspector Brace called on him and asked him to test a florin. He tested it and found it to be bad. Samuel Brace: on 5 November he went to the British Queen public house kept by William Freeman. The prisoner was in the bar and he received the 2 shilling piece from freeman. He searched the prisoner and found £5 10s in fold, 15s9d in silver and 14 pennyworth of copper. He charged him with trying to pass counterfeit coin. The prisoner said he had done it and was very sorry. Statement of the accused: he said he did not know it was a bad one or he would not have tendered it. He had not been at Dunstable.

10 pages

item

Steere, James,
Jaquest, David,
Freeman, William,
Hardy, James,
Rabone, William Robinson,
Brace, Samuel

LUTON, Luton Bute Street, passing counterfeit coin, Luton British Queen, Dunstable Church Street, Luton Park Square, publican, silversmith