QSR1876/4/5/8-9

Depositions and examinations - Edwin Henry Smith and Catherine Barker, charged wtih stealin 13s from the person of Charles Cook at Luton on 19 August 1876

21 August 1876

From: 1876 To: 1876

Charles Cook of Luton – he lives at 5 Old Bedford Road, Luton. On Saturday at 12pm at dinner he went into Mr Mayne’s Coopers Arms in Bute Street. He went into the house with Catherine Barker also at the Windmill and from there they all walked together. He had only known them the day before. At the Cooper’s Arms he asked for a pint of beer and a bottle of ginger beer for them all and they sat down together. He sat nearer Smith. He asked Barker to drink the ginger beer but she refused. He gave her a ½ quartern gin and cloves. Smith then went outside leaving himself and Barker alone for about 5 or 6 minutes. Smith came back with a young man named Waller. Barker came and sat very close. He found her hand in his pocket and found the pocket completely empty. A minute or two before he had 14s 11s, the change from the drink. He told her to give him his money back. She denied having any money. He heard some money jingle and she put 2 sixpences and some coppers back in his pocket. He went into the passage and saw Smith. The door of the room was open and Barker could hear. Smith asked if he accused her of taking his money and he said he did. Smith said “you say that again I’ll knock your b…y teeth down your throat”. He said he couldn’t help that and would not lose sight of Smith until he saw a policeman. Barker had left her seat and come into the passage. Smith and Barker then went into the bar and Mr Mayne would not let him go in. He stood outside for about 20 minutes and then called to a police constable. They went into the bar and he charged Catherine Barker with stealing 13s out of his pocket. The policeman asked Smith and Barker to empty their pockets. Smith had some money in a purse. He did not recognise any particularly, but they were the same kind of coins. He returned to the bar with the second policeman PC Robinson who took them into custody. He saw the purse in Barker’s possession the day before. Benjamin Mayne of Luton – he is an innkeeper at Luton and keeps the Coopers Arms. On 19 August Cook and the prisoners came into his house. All three went into a spare room. Cook called for a pint of beer and a bottle of ginger beer and paid for it. Cook gave him half a sovereign. He gave Cook the 9s 5d change. Cook had three more pints and paid for them. He heard Cook accuse the young woman of taking his money. She said she did not. He said he would take care they didn’t go out of the room and told Cook to send for a policeman to have them searched. When the prisoners were in his bar he refused to let Cook in where they were. Cook was sober from first to last, as were the prisoners. Frederick Robinson of Luton, policeman – on Saturday 19th about 6pm he went to the Coopers Arms. Cook charged Barker with robbing him of 13s. He took them to the police station. On searching Smith he found 2 half crowns, 1 florin, 6 shillings, 4 sixpences and 9 1/2d in copper. On Barker he found 4d in coppers. On Smith he found a purse with 15s 9½d altogether. In answer to the charge Smith said “quite right” and Barker said “I am satisfied”. Arthur Smart of Luton – he is a builder and lives at John Street, Luton. Smith came to him as a stranger. He engaged Smith at 2s 5d a day. There was a balance of 5s 2d which he paid him at 4 o’clock. When he engaged Smith, Smith said he had no money to buy his food. Edwin Henry Smith – “I am not guilty” Catherine Barker – “I am not guilty”

item

Smith, Edwin Henry,
Barker, Catherine,
Cook, Charles,
Mayne, Benjamin,
Robinson, Frederick,
Smart, Arthur

LUTON, Luton Old Bedford Road, Luton Bute Street, Luton John Street, pickpocket, Luton Coopers Arms, Luton Windmill, innkeeper, police constable, builder