QSR1884/1/5/2a

Depositions of George Rook, market gardener of Northill and Frederick Askew, police constable of Biggleswade. In the case of John Ireland accused of obtaining the sum of one shilling by false pretences.

5 December 1883

From: 1883 To: 1884

George Rook: on 26 November the prisoner came to his house. The prisoner said his mistress had sent him to Biggleswade for a shilling worth of stamps but he had put the shilling in the stable window and he had been in a hurry and forgotten it. The prisoner asked if Rook would let him have a shilling so he need not go back and he would bring back the shilling that night. He knew Mrs Clarke, the prisoner’s mistress, well as she was a customer of his and so gave the prisoner the shilling. On 27 November the prisoner came for the milk as usual and said he had quite forgotten about the shilling but would bring it before the day was out. The prisoner did not do so and Rook, hearing the prisoner had absconded, applied for a warrant of apprehension. Elizabeth Clarke: wife of Joseph Clarke and residing at Clumber House in Northill. The prisoner had been employed by her son as a groom up until 28 November when he absconded. She had never given him a shilling for stamps nor sent him for any. He son was unmarried and she was the only Mrs Clarke in the house. Frederick Askew: a police constable stationed at Biggleswade and on the night of 29 November he apprehended the prisoner on a warrant. On the way to the police station the prisoner said he knew he had the shilling under false pretences. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

6 pages

item

Ireland, John,
Rook, George,
Askew, Frederick

NORTHILL, BIGGLESWADE, false pretences