QSR1880/4/5/3

Charles Goode, baker of Markyate Street, Edward Pratt, Chapel Yard, Luton, Thomas Bradshaw, police constable of Houghton Regis and William Kirby, dealer of Luton. In the case of Austin Thomas George Bourne accused of stealing a pony & cart, a harness and a whip.

16 August 1880

From: 1880 To: 1880

Charles Goode: a baker of Markyate Street. On 17 July he went to the Wheatsheaf public house at Houghton Regis. Edward Stevens and Austin Bourne were with him, he afterwards missed Stevens and Bourne. He went to the door and saw his pony and cart had gone, and Stevens and Bourne were in it driving up Chalk Hill. He spent the night looking for it, until at 3 am he saw Stevens looking out of his bedroom window, and from the information he gave the police found the pony and cart at Luton. PC Bradshaw brought the pony and cart to him at his mothers on 19 July. [cross examination] they had all taken a pint or 2 together. They met first on West Street, Dunstable and had a pot or 2 there, before going to the Wheatsheaf. He did not ask them to go for a drive. He was not drunk, he was sober. They others were a little worse for drink. Stevens was driving the cart. Edward Pratt: he was in George Street, Luton when he met Stevens and Bourne. They had a pony and cart and went into the Crown and Anchor. They offered it for sale to Pratt. He gave them £12 12s 6d and then drove to the Melson in John Street. He later sold it for £3 10s 0d. [cross examination] Stevens made the whole transaction and they had 2 or 3 pints before the deal was made. He gave Stevens £2 to bind the bargain. They took 5 or 6 pints of beer and some run at the Nelson Arms after the deal. Thomas Bradshaw: he was informed of the loss of a pony and cart on the night of 18 July. He went to Luton and saw Edward Pratt, and afterwards William Kirby and was given the horse and cart. On 20 July he apprehended Bourne and charged him. He said they had taken the pony and cart and sold it to Pratt but had only received a sovereign of the money. They had not intended to sell it. William Kirby: a dealer of 86 Burr Street in Luton. On 17 July he was driving a pony and cart by the Melson Arms and saw Pratt there. He asked him to buy a pony and cart, which he did for £3 10s 0d. He later gave it up to PC Bradshaw. Statement of the accused: not guilty.

7 pages

item

Bourne, Austin Thomas George,
Goode, Charles,
Pratt, Edward,
Bradshaw, Thomas,
Kirby, William

HOUGHTON REGIS, LUTON, Luton Melson Arms, Luton Crown and Anchor Inn, Houghton Regis Wheatsheaf, stealing, horses, cart, harness