QSR1888/1/5/2

Depositions of Thomas Francis of Newtown Street of Luton, PC William Chamberlain, Elizabeth Smith, Roselia Smith and Mary Ann Facey. In the case of Charles Day accused of stealing a quantity of fresh haddock.

9 November 1887

From: 1887 To: 1888

Thomas Franics: a fishmonger residing at 105 New Town Street. On 4 November about 11pm he left a box containing fresh haddocks in his yard against the back door. The box was nailed down and covered up with empties. About 12.45am he was woken up and from what he was told, he went down the stairs and found Mrs Facey and others outside with a box of fish. He identified it as his property. The value was 3 shillings and sixpence. Elizabeth Smith: daughter of Daniel Smith and resident at Chase Street, Luton. On 4 November she had been sitting with her mother about 12.30am and she went out into the opening leading from Bailey Fields cottages to Chase Street. She saw the 2 prisoners (meaning the present prisoner and Albert Hucklesby convicted at Luton Petty Sessions) and another who she did not know. She told her mother and went to the front door and saw them watching Mr Francis’ house. They closed the door for a few minutes and then heard some one running away up Chase Street. Looking out of the window, she saw the prisoners run past. Roselia Smith: wife of Daniel Smith and resident in Chase Street. About 12.30am on 4 November, in consequence of what her daughter told her she went to the front door and saw the 2 prisoners and another man standing against the opening to Bailey Field Cottages. They were watching the prosecutor’s house. She closed the door for a few minutes and then heard someone running up the street. Looking out of the window she saw the 2 prisoners and another run past and the container of fish in the street. Mary Ann Facey: a widow residing at 120 Newtown Street, Luton (which was opposite the prosecutor’s house). She was standing at her front door about 12.35am when she saw 3 young men come from Chase Street and go down the prosecutor’s passage. Suspecting something was wrong she called her son but before he got down, the men came out carrying a box. She ran after them a little way up Chase Street and shouted when they threw the box down. William Chamberlain: a detective officer for the Borough of Luton. From information received he apprehended Charles day and charged him. Day made no reply to the charge. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

8 pages

item

Day, Charles,
Francis, Thomas,
Chamberlain, William,
Smith, Elizabeth,
Smith, Roselia,
Facey, Mary Ann,
Hucklesby, Albert

LUTON, Luton Chase Street, Luton New Town Street, stealing, fish, fishmonger