QSR1878/4/5/2

Depositions and examination - John Gates charged with stealing one pair of boots and one pair of earrings, value 12s, from Jane Flint at Woodside in the parish of Caddington on 23 July 1878

6 August 1878

From: 1878 To: 1878

Jane Flint of Woodside, Caddington, widow – John Gates lodged with her at the end of May. She told him she would not have him longer and he went away. He has asked to come back but she refused. On Monday 22 July she went to St Albans. She had a new padlock put on the door and locked up everything safe. On the following day she returned and found the staple had been drawn and the door could be opened. On going in she missed a pair of boots. She went to bed and in the night Gates came and burst the door open, came upstairs and hit her on the side of the head – this was in her bedroom. She told him to leave the room. He left it and threw himself on the landing. In the morning she missed a pair of earrings. She asked Gates where her boots were. He said he had pawned them and showed her the ticket. He then struck her several times and pulled some of her hair out. She asked about the earrings and he said they were quite safe. She ran out and when he was gone she locked up the house and came to Luton. He followed her and overtook her and again knocked her down. She then came and got a warrant and charged him with stealing boots and earrings. She believes the earrings and boots produced are hers. [Cross-examined] At Market Harborough she was living with him as his wife – this was when her husband was dying. She did not give him the boots. He went with her to Harpenden Races in the boots. She did not give him the earrings when she slept with him the other night. They were in her drawer. Elizabeth Holland of Caddington – she lives next door to Mrs Flint and remembers her going to St Albans. Mrs Flint did not come home that day. She went to bed about 10pm. She heard a noise after she got to bed. She heard the door of the next house and later heard someone walking about. This was between 10 and 11pm. William Joseph Butcher of Luton, pawnbroker – he has seen Gates before. He saw him on 23 July 1878 when he pledged the boots produced for 3s. [Cross-examined] Gates said he had the boots at Shillington. He sent for a police constable but the police did not know anything about it. Alfred Mayes of Caddington, police constable – he produced a pair of earrings found on Gates at the police station on 24th July. Jane Flint identified them. John Gates – “she gave me the boots and the earrings I never had”.

item

Gates, John,
Flint, Jane,
Holland, Elizabeth,
Butcher, William Joseph,
Mayes, Alfred

Woodside, CADDINGTON, LUTON, Market Harborough, stealing, boots, JEWELLERY, police constable