QSR1871/1/5/1

Depositions and examination - Sidney Waller, charged with obtaining 13s 6d belonging to George Duncomb from Clara Duncomb by false pretences on 10 October 1870 at Luton

24 October 1870

From: 1870 To: 1871

George Duncomb of Luton, greengrocer - He lives at 73 Park Street, Luton and has a water cress bed at New Mill End. On Monday 10th October about 9.30am he was at New Mill End attending to his cresses. Arthur Dawes, a little boy, was with him. Waller was there and in his presence he gave Dawes a purse containing one 5 shilling piece, 3 half crowns and one shilling, 13s 6d altogether to take home to his wife as he does not go home every night. Arthur Dawes of Luton, labourer - He is 12 years old. He was at the water cress ground at New Mill End with George Duncomb who gave him a purse made of part of an old stocking with some money in it. He does not know how much there was. Waller was there. Duncomb told him to take the purse home and give it to his wife. Waller came towards Luton with him and before they got to Luton has asked to look at the purse. He refused. Waller stayed with him until they got to Luton and went into Duncomb’s house with him. He gave the purse to Duncomb’s daughter Clara, a little girl, and told her to take care of it. Waller was there all the time. Waller took up some watercresses in a strip and went away. He did not see Waller until Sunday 16th. Clara Duncomb of Luton, sewer - She is 8 years old and lives with her father at 73 Park Street Luton. On Monday 10th October she remembers Arthur Dawes and Waller coming to their house. Dawes gave her a purse with some money (all "big money") in it in Waller’s presence. Waller left before Dawes and took a hamper of water cresses with him to take to her mother. Waller came back and told her that her mother wanted the money Dawes had brought home to pay for some apples. She gave him the money and he went away with it. Mary Ann Duncomb, wife of George Duncomb of Luton, greengrocer - She is the wife of George Duncomb. On Monday 10th October she had a greengrocer’s stall in Luton Market in George Street. About 12pm Waller brought her a hamper of water cresses, put it on her stall, turned round and walked away without saying anything to her. She did not send him to her house for any money on that day and did not know her husband had sent any home. She never sent him for money at any time. She would not trust him. David Jaquest of Luton, police sergeant On Sunday 16 October he apprehended Waller in Park Street and charged him with obtaining 13s 6d by false pretences. Waller said he would tell the truth and said "I did have the 13/6 and spent it with some tramps up against London and when I get out of this I’ll go into the Workhouse. I’ll not get into this trouble any more". He went away the day he had the money and did not come back until the 16th. Sidney Waller - nothing to say.

item

Waller, Sidney,
Duncomb, George,
Duncomb, Clara,
Dawes, Arthur,
Duncomb, Mary Ann,
Jaquest, David

LUTON, New Mill End, Luton Park Street, Luton George Street, false pretences, greengrocer, police sergeant, watercress, Luton Market