QSR1880/4/5/10/b

Statement of the accused & Statements for the defence - John Partridge

6 October 1880

From: 1880 To: 1880

Statement of the accused: he bought he watch on the following Tuesday from a stranger on the London Road. He paid 15s and borrowed 10s from his father to help pay for it. He sold it at the Luton Statute fair on 24 September to a man named Cleaver. Thomas Partridge: lived at the Half Moon and was the prisoner’s father. The prosecutor often stayed at his house. On 16 September the prosecutor asked him to drink with him, he appeared “fresh with drink”. His son went with him and his man Wilson. He later saw him beastly drunk. His son and his man laid the prosecutor on the settle and got him upstairs to bed. When he was pulling off his waistcoat he told the prosecutor his man had given him his money and asked where his watch was. He said he did not know and perhaps Wilson had it. He said there had been 2 other men near him before the prisoner and repeated so afterwards to Mrs Partridge. On 21 September he was in Steven’s field when the prisoner came and asked for 10 s to purchase an article he had wanted for a long time. The prisoner went away and returned 10 minutes later saying he had made a good bargain and would make a crown. Lenora Duncomb: landlady of the Waggon & Horses. On 16 September, Stanway, Wilson and Partridge came together about quarter to 8. Wilson asked for some soda water and Stanway was served with some ginger beer which he could not drink. Stanway fell down and staggered out alone. She saw him 10 minutes later leaning over the fence. Wilson and Partridge remained inside. There were a lot of children about and people passing. There were usually tramps passing about at this time. She later saw Stanway on the ground. Wilson went out but partridge did not leave for another 20 minutes. John Janes: worked for Mr Partridge. On 21 September, he was carting straw and saw the prisoner about 100 yards in front. A man came up to the prisoner near the old tollgate and when he caught the prisoner up, the prisoner told him the man offered him a watch for 18s but he only had 5s so need to ask his father to lend him some. He heard the prisoner ask his father and then went after the man. The prisoner returned and showed him the watch. [cross examination]: there would have been time for little conversation before he overtook the prisoner. The man was dressed in dark clothes.

7 pages

item

Partridge, John,
Duncomb, Lenora,
Partridge, Thomas,
Janes, John

DUNSTABLE, stealing, watches, Dunstable Waggon & Horses