QSR1881/4/5/2b

Depositions of John Stanton, police constable of Luton, for himself and Caroline Swain, Henry Towle, station master of Midland Railway Station, Luton, George Squires and Matthew Judge, silversmith of Manchester Street. In the case of Thomas Johnson accused of uttering counterfeit coin.

10 August 1881

From: 1881 To: 1881

Caroline Swain: wife of William Swain of the Albion public house, Manchester Street in Luton. On 27 July the prisoner came to the house and asked for some ale and three pennyworth of rum. He gave a half crown in payment. He was given 2 shillings, a penny and a halfpenny in change. He noticed the half crown looked new and he put it in his pocket rather than the till. He gave it a few minutes later to the clerk of the Midland Railway Station. The prisoner did not change sovereign. George Squires: clerk of the Midland Railway Station. On 27 July he went to Mr Swain for an account. He received payment as in a sovereign, a half sovereign, 2 half crowns and 2 shilling pieces and four pence. He handed the money to the second clerk at the station and did not notice the half crowns. Henry Towle: the station master of the Midland railway Station at Luton. On 27 July George Squires brought some money to him. He searched the cash in the presence if the constable and found a bad half crown. John Stanton: after apprehending the prisoner he made enquires and went to Mr Swain at the station. He received a half crown from Mr Towle. He took the coin to Mr Judge, it was the same date as found on the prisoner and of similar appearance. Matthew Judge: a silversmith. On 28 July he received a half crown from PC Stanton. It was a base one. He could not say if it was from the same mould, but they were alike in appearance and weight. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Johnson, Thomas,
Squires, George,
Swain, Caroline,
Towle, Henry,
Stanton, John,
Judge, Matthew

LUTON, Luton Manchester Street, silversmith, passing counterfeit coin, station master, stations