QSR1880/4/5/10/a

Frederick Stanway, cattle dealer of Rushden, Benjamin George and William Addington, all of Dunstable, William Wilson, of Macclesfield and John Butcher, of Luton. In the case of John Partridge accused of stealing a silver watch from the person.

6 October 1880

From: 1880 To: 1880

Frederick Stanway: a cattle dealer living in Rushden but was at Dunstable on 15 September. He stopped at Mr Partridges until Friday 17 September and he had his watch at 5 o’clock on Thursday. He missed it as he was going to bed. The prisoner took him home from the Square and the Compasses. He was “tight” and he recalled the prisoner finding him lying in the road. [cross examination] he had something to drink at the Horse & Jockey. The prisoner was drinking with him at 5 o’clock. He did not recall anyone else being round him when he was found. He was carried home, one on each side. He didn’t think anyone could have taken the watch from his person without him feeling, unless he was undressed. His man had buttoned up his trousers. He believed his man trustworthy. He had no reason for thinking the prisoner took it and he always treated him right. William Wilson: lived at Cross Street, Macclesfield and was in Mr Stanway’s employ. He was with Stanway in Dunstable between 15 and 17 September. He had been with him at the Carpenter’s Arms on 16 September and remained here with him until they were turned out. He then went to another public house across the road. Mr Stanway left the first public house before him and he believed him alone until he found him lying down. He had no idea how long he’d been alone. He buttoned him up and searched him to see he had his money, but did not think of his watch. He helped take him back to Mr Partridge’s where he was left to sleep in the tap room. He later saw him safe to bed. He wasn’t present when the prosecutor missed the watch. [cross examination] he treated many persons that evening. 3 or 4 people where there when he was found lying in the road. He had been on the side of the watch pocket when he helped him home. He always looked after the money when the prosecutor got drunk. If the prisoner took the watch he would have seen him. Joseph Butcher: a pawnbroker in Luton. The watch was offered in his shop on 28 September by a young man. Asked about the watch, the young man said it belonged to a young man called Cleaver. He called the police. Benjamin George: superintendent of Police in Luton. He received the watch and 2 young men, John Cleaver and John [S]hingley from Butcher’s shop. William Addington: he saw the prosecutor being led up the High Street on 16 September. He apprehended the prisoner on 28th, having received information. The prisoner said he had bought it from a chap and sold it to John Cleaver. [cross examination] he apprehended the prisoner at the Queens head and Cleaver confirmed him to be the man who had sold the watch to him.

7 pages

item

Partridge, John,
Stanway, Frederick,
Janes, John,
George, Benjamin,
Addington, William,
Wilson, William,
Butcher, John

DUNSTABLE, Rushden, LUTON, stealing, watches, cattle dealer, pawnbroker