QSR1879/2/5/9/a

Depositions and examination - Thomas Smith, charged with receiving on slop jacket from William Durrant at Leighton Buzzard on 14 December 1878, knowing it to have been stolen from William Spendlove

1 February 1879

From: 1879 To: 1879

William Spendlove of High Street, Leighton Buzzard, draper – on Saturday 14 December he placed a slop jacket like the one produced by his shop door at 9pm. He missed it about 20 minutes later. He believes the one produced is the one he lost. William Durrant of Leighton Buzzard – he lives with his parents. On Saturday 14 December he took the jacket produced from outside Mr Spendlove’s shop door. He took it to Smith’s house in Leighton. Smith and his wife were both at home. He gave it to Smith who said “it will do well for me to wear when I have got another pair of trousers”. Smith said “Go and get another one and I’ll go down with you”. They did not go but went home. Smith said he would give them 2s for the jacket but has not done so. Thomas Read and Fred Smith, the prisoner’s son, were with him at the time. Thomas Read – he lives with his mother in Leighton. He is in his 17th year. On 14 December he was with Durrant and saw him take the jacket from Mr Spendlove. He went with Durrant to Smith’s house. Smith and his wife were at home. Smith’s wife took the jacket and handed it to Smith. Smith said he would give them 2s for the jacket but has not paid anything. Smith also told them to go and get another one. They left and went home. John Chilton of Dunstable, pawnbroker – on 27 December the jacket produced was pawned at his shop by Smith’s wife with another coat and a pair of trousers. He advanced 6/3 on the lot. He handed the jacket to PC Ruffhead yesterday morning. Thomas Ruffhead, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – he received the jacked from Mr Chilton yesterday, 31 January. Thomas Smith – he does not wish to say anything

item

Smith, Thomas,
Durrant, William,
Spendlove, William,
Read, Thomas,
Chilton, John,
Ruffhead, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Leighton Buzzard High Street, DUNSTABLE, receiving stolen goods, clothing, draper, police constable, pawnbroker