QSR1880/3/5/3

Depositions of Joseph Newbold, bricklayer of 40 Chapel Street, Luton, John Thomas Jeffs, watchmaker of Wellington Street, Luton and Frederick Robinson, police constable of Luton. In the case of Frederick Gilbert accused of stealing a silver watch.

1 May 1880

From: 1880 To: 1880

Joseph Newbold: on 14 February he took a silver lever watch to Mr Jeffs in Wellington Street, Luton. Gilbert went with him as he was a stranger to town. He had given nobody authority to fetch the watch from Mr Jeffs. He had not seen his watch since. John Thomas Jeffs: on 14 February the prisoner and Newbold went to his shop. They brought a silver lever watch to be repaired. The prisoner asked how much it would cost. From his interview with the parties, he believed the prisoner to be the owner of the watch, as he did all the talking. On 23 February the prisoner asked for the Watch, he gave it to him and the prisoner paid him 3 shillings and sixpence. Frederick Robinson: on 26 April he apprehended the prisoner. The prisoner said he knew nothing of the charge. He afterwards said that he went to the shop and asked for the watch and paid for its repair. He gave it to a man to give to Newbold, but he would not say who as he’d rather suffer himself. The prisoner later said he was “on the drink at the time and lost it”. The reason the prisoner had not been apprehended earlier was because he had absconded. Statement of the accused: he did not steal the watch or obtain it by false pretences.

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Gilbert, Frederick,
Newbold, Joseph,
Jeffs, John Thomas,
Robinson, Frederick

LUTON, watchmaker, bricklayer, Luton Wellington Street, Luton Chapel Street, stealing, watches