QSR1878/1/5/10/b

Depositions and examination - Richard Thorn, charged with obtaining 2lbs of loaf sugar and 1/4lb of fresh butter from Walter Monk at Dunstable on 28th November

5 December 1877

From: 1877 To: 1878

Walter Scrivner – he is assistant to Mr Monk, grocer of Dunstable. Thorn came to the shop on Wednesday 28 November between 4 and 5pm and asked for 2lbs of loaf sugar and ¼ lb of fresh butter for Mr Higgs the builder. He asked whether it was the old gentleman or the young one. Thorn said the old one. He let Thorn have them and entered them to Mr Higgs account. The price of them was 9d and 5d. Mr Higgs is one of their customers. William Higgs – Thorn has never been in his employ and he has never authorised him to fetch any groceries for him. Frances Higgs – she is the wife of Mr Higgs, builder of Dunstable. She has once or twice employed Thorn to go on errands, but has never sent him to Mr Monks for any goods and has never authorised him to use her or her husband’s name and has not received any goods fetched by him. Benjamin George – on 30 November about 10am he was sent for to Mr Emery’s shop. He saw Thorn in the sitting room. Thorn was charged with obtaining biscuits by false pretences and was given into his custody. He charged Thorn with the offence. Thorn did not reply. On 2 December he told Thorn there were other charges against him. Thorn admitted having the sugar and that he ate it himself. Thorn said he used to hide the things under a tomb in the churchyard and that there were two tombs together. Thorn also stated that he ate the cocoa obtained from Mr Emery’s. Richard Thorn – has nothing to say.

item

Thorn, Richard,
Monk, Walter,
Scrivner, Walter,
Higgs, Frances,
Higgs, William,
George, Benjamin

DUNSTABLE, false pretences, food, grocer, builder