QSR1879/2/5/3-7/b

Depositions and examinations - William Rolls and William Durrant, charged with stealing one pair of leather boots and one pair of trousers value 12s 3d from Charles Frederick Morris at Leighton Buzzard on 12 November 1878

31 January 1879

From: 1878 To: 1879

Charles Frederick Morris of Leighton Buzzard, draper and clothier – his shop is in North Street. On 12 November he had some boots lying on some boards outside his shop on the pavement and some trousers hanging in the shop window. He missed one of the pairs of boots that were outside between 6 and 8pm. A few days later he missed a pair of trousers. The boots and trousers produced are of the same kinds and he believes they are his. Thomas Ruffhead, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – on 22 January from information received he apprehended Durrangt. On 27 January he was on duty at the police station in charge of the prisoners when Durrant, with Rolls present, said “I stole the shoes from Morris shop, took them to my aunt’s “old Queen Molls” and fitted them on. They did not fit me and my aunt asked me for them and said she would give me 1/6 for them. I let her have them, she gave me a shilling. She has not given me the 6d yet. She asked me to steal a shawl”. Durrant also said that Rolls had stolen a pair of trousers from Morris shop the same day he stole the boots. He obtained the boots from Durrant’s aunt, Mary Ann Smith. She was wearing them. John Olden, police sergeant stationed at Leighton Buzzard – on 21 January he apprehended Rolls on another charge. On searching Rolls’ father’s house he found the pair of trousers produced. Rolls said they were his. On 22nd he showed the trousers to Morris who identified them. He charged Rolls with Durrant present, and Rolls said "Durrant stole a pair of shoes and I stole the trousers from Mr Morris”. William Rolls and William Durrant - have nothing to say.

item

Rolls, William,
Durrant, William,
Morris, Charles Frederick,
Ruffhead, Thomas,
Olden, John

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Leighton Buzzard North Street, stealing, clothing, boots, trousers, draper, clothier, police constable, police sergeant