QSR1877/2/5/3

Depositions and examination - William O'Donald charged with stealing a silver watch value £5 from the person of Thomas Brown at Dunstable on 2 April 1877

3 April 1877

From: 1877 To: 1877

Thomas Brown of Dunstable, provision dealer – at 7pm last night he was at the bar of the White Hart when he heard something snap and found O’Donald had pulled his watch off his chain. He collared him and said “you’ve got my watch”. Another man came from his left round to the prisoner as if to take the watch from him. He gave O’Donald into custody. He is certain he saw O’Donald’s hand at his chain when he heard the snap. [Cross-examined] There was only O’Donald and the other man with him at the time. John Sadler, police constable in the Metropolitan Police – he was sent for to the White Hart Inn and O’Donald was given into his custody. O’Donald said he came from Liverpool and afterwards London. O’Donald had the return half ticket to London and said he was from Tipperary. He found 3 gold sovereigns, some silver and an eyeglass on him. Louisa Horn of Dunstable – she is the wife of Charles Horn who keeps the White Hart. O’Donald and another man came in and tried to baffle her with change. Brown came in and while he was giving her his order said O’Donald had robbed him of his watch. O’Donald said he had made a mistake. There was no one else there in that division of the bar. The other man went out immediately. She saw the albert drop and heard the snap. The man who left was near enough to the prisoner to get something from him. [Cross-examined] She was not busy then. O’Donald wanted to leave but was kept by her brother until the police came. John Watts of Northampton, provision dealer – he was at the White Hart Inn yesterday. He is Louisa Horn’s brother. His sister called him and he kept the prisoner in the front bar. O’Donald wanted to leave. He picked up the handle of a watch which he produces and which appears to have been faced. Thomas Brown – the handle produced is like the handle of his watch. William O’Donald – he is innocent of the charge.

item

O'Donald, William,
Brown, Thomas,
Sadler, John,
Horn, Louisa,
Watts, John

DUNSTABLE, Northampton, Tipperary, pickpocket, watches, provision dealer, police constable