QSR1876/4/5/12/b

Depositions and examination - George Thornton, charged with stealing two slops from John Cattell at Eaton Socon on 22 September 1876

30 September 1876

From: 1876 To: 1876

Charles Allison of Eaton Socon, assistant to John Cattell – he was at the shop on Friday afternoon 22 September. Thornton came into the shop several times and purchased different articles. About 6.30 Thornton brought a tin back he had lent him. Soon after Thornton left a person named Nightingale game in and gave him certain information. Thornton came in again about 7.30pm and asked for a pair of boots. Thornton had not been gone a minute when he saw some jackets that were hanging on a nail close to the door were moving. He heard a rustling noise and ran to the door. Thornton met him at the door and asked for 6 pennyworth of eggs. He told Thornton he had not got any. While he was talking to Thornton he noticed a brown jacket underneath his slop. He gave information to Mr Cattell who came out. Mr Cattell pulled out the brown jacket from underneath Thornton’s slop and asked if he knew it. He said he could swear to it. Thornton pulled his money out and said he was very sorry and hoped Mr Cattell would not do anything. Mr Cattell took possession of the jacket. After Thornton went away he found another jacket under the shop window. John Cattell of Eaton Socon, grocer and draper – when Charles Allison made a statement to him Thornton was in the shop. He asked Thornton what he wanted. Thornton said “half a dozen eggs”. He noticed a brown jacket showing above the collar of his white one he had on. He asked what Thornton had on – Thornton said “nothing”. He took the jacket from under Thornton’s and said “does not this belong to me”. Thornton said “no”. He showed it to Allison who said he knew it. Thornton then put his hand in his pockets and said he was sorry for what he had done and hoped he would not prosecute. He gave up the jacket to PC Billington. The second jacket produced is also his property. Joseph Billington of Eaton Socon, police constable – he found Thornton in a public house at Huntingdon on 23 September and charged him with stealing 2 slops from Mr Cattell’s shop. Thornton said “I did not steal two I only stole one”. George Thornton – he only had one of them and knows nothing of the other.

item

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

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