QSR1871/2/5/4

Depositions and examination - John Mariner, charged with stealing 10 dozens of iron hurdle shackles value 6s 8d at Luton from John Lane

20 March 1871

From: 1871 To: 1871

John Lane – he is a wheelwright and blacksmith and lives in Park Street, Luton. Early last December he made 70 dozen shackles for hurdles from several different sizes of iron. They were worth 8d / dozen. He has seen Mariner outside his premises once or twice. He missed 22 dozen shackles. The ones produced were made by him. He never sold them to Mariner or anyone else. Joseph Lansberry of Luton, police constable – on Saturday 25 February he was on duty in Park Street. He saw Mariner come out of a yard from the direction of the river carrying something in a bag on his back. He went after him and caught him. He found the shackles in the bag. Mariner said there were 10 dozen, and that he got them from Mr Lines’s of Chiltern Green at about 1pm for 6d a dozen. The shackles were wet as if they had been lying in some water. He suspected what Mariner told him was not right so took the shackles. On Monday 13 March he received information and went to Mr Lane’s shop. He found two bunches, one or 10 and one of 12 dozen were missing. He showed the shackles he took from Mariner to John Lane who identified them as his father’s property. He took Mariner into custody and charged him with stealing the shackles. John Mariner – he is not guilty.

item

Mariner, John,
Lane, John,
Lansberry, Joseph

LUTON, Luton Park Street, stealing, wheelwright, blacksmith, police constable