QSR1887/4/5/14a

Depositions of PC William Henry Currell, Mary Ann Taylor, George Treasure, engineer of Luton, Joseph Spratley, engineer of Luton, George Moody, engineer of Cobden Street. In the case of Henry Allison accused of stealing certain machine implements.

22 September 1887

From: 1887 To: 1887

George Moody: an engineer living in Cobden Street, Luton. The prisoner had been working for him on 20th, 21st and the morning of 22nd of September. About 12 noon he discharged him as he had no more work. He had given him work from pity. From what he was told he examined his tools and fittings. On 29 September PC Currell showed him tools and fittings which he identified as his property. He valued them at 50 shillings and some tools were still missing. Mary Ann Taylor: wife of Samuel Taylor of 16 Cobden Street, Luton. She lived next door to Moody and remembered being at her back door between 2pm and 3pm on 22 September. She saw the prisoner go into Moody’s shop and come out 10 minutes later and go down the street. She had seen Mr Moody go out about 2pm. George Treasure: an engineer of 75 Church Street, Luton. On 22 September about 3.30pm, the prisoner came to his place and asked for a job. He refused saying he didn’t have enough work for himself. The prisoner said he had worked for Wilson & Gibbs for about 7 years and was hard up. Allison produced some tools and fittings and laid them on the bench. The prisoner pressed him to buy them as he wanted money to get back London. He bought the tools for 10 shillings. Joseph Spratley: an engineer of Castle Street, Luton. On 22 September the prisoner came and asked for employment, saying he had worked for Moody and wanted to get back to London. The prisoner produced some fittings which he asked Spratley to buy. He gave the prisoner 6s 8d for them. PC William Henry Currell: on 13 October he received the prisoner from Metropolitan Police at Kingsland Road Station. He read the warrant to Allison but he made no reply. He recovered the tools from Treasure and the fittings from Spratley. Statement of the accused: he had lived for 7 years in Hoxton and came to Luton on 19 September. He had 20 years experience of the sewing machine trade and was looking for work. The evidence was true. He had got drunk and was drunk all the time he was there. That was the reason from his present situation.

item

Allison, Henry,
Currell, William Henry,
Taylor, Mary Ann,
Treasure, George,
Spratley, Joseph,
Moody, George

LUTON, Luton Castle Street, Luton Cobden Street, stealing, tools, engineer, sewing machine manufacture