QSR1888/1/5/3b

Depositions of PC Charles Smith of Luton, Moses Gregory of Back Street, Luton and William Chamberlain, detective officer of Luton. In the case of Alfred Hardwick accused receiving a stolen saw, 2 chisels and a gauge.

16 November 1887

From: 1887 To: 1888

Moses Gregory: He knew Frederick Pedder and Joseph Garner and he had seen them and spoken to them about 5.30 in Manchester Street, Luton. They told him they had some tools and said they were going to Gale’s pawnshop and so he went with them. They passed a boy called Fisher and one of them asked Fisher if he wanted to earn 2d and asked him to take some things to the pawn shop. Fisher did not take them. They afterwards went to Gale’s. Pedder took the saw in and they waited outside. Pedder brought the saw back. They then went to Boyle Street, Burr Street and Chapel Street. They met Hardwick and he asked where they were going to take the tools. Garner said they would take them back and they went together to Dumfries Street. Hardwick said to take them to his house so he could look if they were marked. Garner went with Hardwick and he took the bag. Hardwick came back afterwards and said they were now all right as he had got them upstairs in a box. Hardwick had said he had been searching for 2 lost pigeons. Hardwick did not tell the others to take the tools back. PC Charles Smith: on 10 November he was advised of some tool robberies. He went to the prisoner’s house at 30 Dumfries Street at 1am to arrest Garner, one of the suspected thieves. Hardwick said Garner was not there. Hardwick was asked to come down and then said that Garner was there. Garner was arrested. Hardwick was asked if Garner had taken anything to the house and Hardwick replied he had not. He took Garner to the station and then returned. Hardwick was again asked if anything was there and he replied no. A search was made and 2 chisels and a gauge were found in a dust hole. William Chamberlain: he saw the prisoner on 10 November and the prisoner said he had lost 2 pigeons from his warehouse. He asked Hardwick if he knew Garner and Pedder and told him they had been seen hanging around. He saw Garner in the presence of Hardwick and Garner said he had known Hardwick 7 or 8 months. Statement of the accused: he reserved his defence.

9 pages

item

Hardwick, Alfred,
Smith, Charles,
Chamberlain, William,
Gregory, Moses

LUTON, Luton Dumfries Street, receiving stolen goods, tools