QSR1884/4/5/6

Depositions of Charles Stevens, railway detective of Muswell Road, Bedford, James Bonner, labourer of Harlington, Frederick William Stokes, clerk of Cardington Street, Luton, Thomas Chapman, railway porter of Mill Street, Luton, Charles Weston, labourer of Westoning and George Bent, police constable of Luton. In the case of John Conquest accused of obtaining 18 shillings by false pretences.

10 September 1884

From: 1884 To: 1884

James Bonner: a ganger on the Midland Railway and resided in Harlington. He knew the prisoner by sight. He worked under him up to 4 August and had 5 days wages due. Altogether they would be £1 15s 3d. Frederick William Stokes: chief booking clerk at the Midland Railway Station in Luton. He knew the prisoner by sight and paid him wages on 7th and 14th August. On the 7th August he was paid £1 0s 3d and on the 14th August he was paid 15 shillings. He next saw the prisoner on 28 August in the booking office and he asked for his wages. He asked the prisoner his name and he replied Charles Weston. He asked which gang he belonged to and he replied Bonners. He turned to the pay sheet and found an item for 18 shillings entered under that name. He paid the prisoner who put his mark against the name Weston. He discovered the error about 5.30pm as there was a man remaining who said his name was Charles Weston. Thomas Chapman: a porter at the Midland Railway Station in Luton. On 28 August he was in the booking office and heard the prisoner ask for his money. Stokes asked his name and was told Charles Weston. He was present when another man by the name of Charles Weston came in. Charles Weston: a labourer on the Midland Railway. He knew the prisoner who worked in the same gang as him and received the same wages. On 28 August he applied for his wages and clerk told him he had already had them. It was custom that when any labourer wished to assign his wages to give a ticket [as attached to deposition]. He had not authorised Conquest to receive his wages. He had not seen Conquest between the 4th and 28th of August. George Bent: on 5 September he apprehended the prisoner and charged him with obtaining money by false pretences. The prisoner said he knew nothing about it. Statement of the accused: he had not been to the pay office since 14 August.

item

Conquest, John,
Stevens, Charles,
Bonner, James,
Stokes, William,
Chapman, Thomas,
Weston, Charles,
Bent, George

BEDFORD, HARLINGTON, LUTON, WESTONING, false pretences, money, detective, clerk, railway porter, Midland Railway Company