QSR1888/1/5/8a

Depositions of Frederick Smith, superintendent of police and Frederick Palmer, shop manager and David Evans, pawnbroker's assistant of Biggleswade. In the case of Mary Pates accused of obtaining 2 pairs of boots by false pretences

14 December 1887

From: 1887 To: 1888

Frederick Palmer: he was now residing in London but for some months up to 14 November, he had been in the employ of Messrs Freeman Hardy & Willis as the manager of their Biggleswade branch. He recalled that on 5 November the prisoner had come to the shop and asked to take some boots for her husband to look at. When asked who she was she replied Mrs Daniells saying that her husband worked for Mr Dan Albone, and that she lived next door to Mr George Inskip at the Black Bear. On believing the statement he let her have 2 pairs of boots, the value of 7s 9d each. She said she would bring them back as soon as she could. He did not receive the boots back. David Evans: an assistant to Mr Page of Biggleswade, a pawnbroker. On 5 November the prisoner came to the shop to pledge 2 pairs of new boots. She gave her name as Pates of Caldicote. He asked her if they were her husbands and she said that one pair was and the other was her cousins, Blunt of Caldicote. He let her have 3s 6d on each pair. She said they were club boots. Frederick Smith: superintendent of police at Biggleswade. On 5 December he took the prisoner into custody for another offence and subsequently charged her with obtaining 2 pairs of boot by false pretences from Messrs Freeman Hardy & Willis. He found 2 pawn tickets in her house. She was the wife of William Pates of Caldicote, a labourer. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

6 pages

item

Pates, Mary,
Smith, Frederick,
Palmer, Frederick,
Evans, David

BIGGLESWADE, false pretences, boots, pawnbroker, Hardy & Willis Freeman