QSR1876/4/5/12/a

Depositions and examination - George Thornton, charged with stealing one pair of corduroy trousers from John Cattell at Eaton Socon on 21 September 1876

30 September 18761

From: 1876 To: 1876

John Cattell of Eaton Socon, grocer and draper – he knows Thornton. Between 19 and 21 September he lost a pair of trousers from his shop. They were about 3 yards from the door. They were brought to him by the police on 24th. The trousers produced are the ones he missed. All his trousers are numbered. Charles Allison of Eaton Socon, assistant to John Cattell – Thornton came to the shop on the 21st between 5 and 6pm. He bought a pennyworth of tobacco. There were some trousers lying about the door when he came in. Elizabeth Bolton of Eaton Socon, widow – she bought a pair of trousers from Thornton on Thursday 21st at her door. Thornton said he had enlisted as a soldier and they would not be any good to him when he got to his Regiment. He said he bought them at St Neots Market. She gave him 5s. She gave up the trousers to Mr Billington on the following Sunday. [Cross-examined] She saw Thornton come to the door with the trousers on his arm. Her daughter stood against the door when he came up the street. She said “Stridey, where are you going with them trousers”. Joseph Billington of Eaton Socon, police constable – on 24th from information received he went to Mrs Bolton’s house. She delivered the trousers to him. That morning on conveying Thornton from the Gaol to the Court House he said he won the pair of trousers at a raffle at Eynesbury on 21st September. George Thornton – he did not steal the trousers. He bought them at St Neots in the market.

item

Thornton, George,
Cattell, John,
Allison, Charles,
Bolton, Elizabeth,
Billington, Joseph

EATON SOCON, Eynesbury, stealing, clothing, grocer, draper, police constable