QSR1881/1/5/11-12

Depositions of Frederick James Wilson, boot dealer of Leighton Buzzard and Thomas Ruffhead, police constable of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of George Hine & Henry Cotterill accused of stealing 2 pairs of boots.

31 December 1880

From: 1880 To: 1881

Frederick James Wilson: he lived with his father James Wilson, a boot dealer in the High Street at Leighton Buzzard. On 29 December he was told some boots had been stolen from the shop. He missed 2 pairs and he went in search of the men but could not find them. He went towards the police station and on his way came across the men in custody. The constable had 2 pairs of boots which he identified. Thomas Ruffhead: he had seen the prisoners loitering near shops in Leighton Buzzard. About 4 o’clock he saw them leaving town by the back street and they were carrying something under their coats. He asked what they had got and Hine said a pair of shoes and Cotterill said he had a pair too. He took them into custody. Cotterill said he was tired of his old shoes and needed a new pair and said he had got them from a shop in town. Cotterill said they had come out of Aylesbury goal that morning and they would soon be back in again. They were taken to the police station. They both said “I am tired of being on the road”. Statement of the accused – George Hine: nothing to say Statement of the accused – Henry Cotterill: he would have sold them if he had chance.

item

Cotterill, Henry,
Hine, George,
Wilson, Frederick James,
Ruffhead, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, boot dealer, stealing, boots