QSR1877/3/5/6

Depositions and examination - Willim Henry Claridge, charged with stabbing, cutting and wounding William Boston at Luton on 18 May 1877

23 May 1877

From: 1877 To: 1877

William Boston of New Town, Luton – he lives at New Town with his mother. On 18 May he was going home to go to school just before 9am. Claridge ran after him and stabbed him with the pen knife produced and without a word. Claridge said he could not help it. Claridge stabbed him in the middle of the back. He felt pain and blood came. [Cross-examined] He did not strike Claridge in the body. Frederick Robertson Haward of Market Hill, Luton, surgeon – on Friday he attended William Boston. He found a punctured wound under the left spade bone, probably made with a pen knife shown to him the next day. The wound was about ¾ inch deep and about ¼ inch wide. In his opinion no vital part was touched. Presuming that the lung itself has not been injured there is no danger. A good deal of force must have been used. He is of the opinion that it was done with the broken blade. Joseph Wright of Luton, police sergeant – on Friday 18th he went to Mr Slough’s in Waller Street and saw Boston crying. Boston said Claridge had stabbed him. He examined Boston and found a quantity of wet blood down the back of his jacket and his shirt cut through. He took him to Dr Haward who dressed his wound. He saw Boston home. He apprehended Claridge and charged him. Claridge said “he tried to stab me first and the knife would not go in. I run after him and stuck mine into him: his mother gave me two knives and he said I did it with the small blade of the pen knife”. William Henry Claridge – “I hoped you would not send me away. I will never do so any more”.

item

Claridge, William Henry,
Boston, William,
Haward, Frederick Robertson,
Wright, Joseph

LUTON, Luton Market Hill, Luton New Town, Luton Waller Street, wounding, police sergeant, surgeon