QSR1881/2/5/1b

Depositions of Thomas Cotham, the younger of Biggleswade. William Wright, school master and gaoler at Her Majesty's prison in Bedford and William Bedlow, superintendent of police at Biggleswade. In the case of William Wilkinson accused of stealing a scarf.

17 March 1881

From: 1881 To: 1881

Thomas Cottam the younger: a labourer employed by Mr John Maythorne, a coach builder at Biggleswade. On 16 January, he saw his scarf about 10 am, in a drawer in his father’s house in Back Lane, Biggleswade. He missed it about 1pm the following Wednesday. He had seen the prisoner at his father’s house on the morning of 18 January and he had been in the same room as the drawers. The prisoner had breakfast with him before he left for work. The scarf had been made for him in London. William Wright: a schoolmaster and warder at Bedford Prison. He received the prisoner into the bath room at the prison on 20 January. He found the scarf on him and afterwards gave it to Superintendent Bedlow. William Bedlow: Superintendent of police. He received the scarf from Wright on 3 February. Statement of the accused: the scarf was taken form him after he was taken to the lock-up, after he had come back from Sevenoaks. It was returned to him and this was the scarf found in the pocket of his coat. He believed they were trying to “get a case up” and he was not guilty.

item

Wilkinson, William,
Cottam, Thomas,
Wright, William,
Bedlow, William,
Maythorn, John & Son

BIGGLESWADE, Biggleswade Back Lane, stealing, schoolmaster, gaoler, coach builder