QSR1879/2/5/9/b

Depositions and examination - Thomas Smith, charged with receiving two white neckerchiefs from Frederick Smith at Leighton Buzzard on 13 December 1878, and two neckerchiefs from William Rolls on 21 December 1878, knowing them to have been stolen from Henry Stone.

1 February 1879

From: 1879 To: 1879

Henry Stone of High Street, Leighton Buzzard, draper – he has scarves in his shop like those produced. He believes they are his property. He has missed a great many goods of this description. He believes the woollen wrappers produced are also his property. He can’t say when he lost the scarves. William Durrant – he lives with his mother in Leighton Buzzard and is in his 17th year. He took the scarves produced from Mr Stone’s shop just outside the door. He took three about 3 weeks before Christmas. He is now wearing the third. He gave two of them the same night to Frederick Smith who took them to his house. He went with Smith. Smith did not give him anything for them. He did not see what Smith did with them. Frederick Smith – he lives at Leighton Buzzard with his father the prisoner. He is in his 15th year. He received the two handkerchiefs or scarves produced from Durrant. He took them home. He later gave his father one and kept one for himself. He did not say anything to his father when he gave it to him. It was about 3 weeks before Christmas. His father asked him where he got them and he told him he had bought them. Charles Plowman, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – on Wednesday 22 January he went to Smith’s house with PC Ruffhead. They searched the house. He found the handkerchiefs produced, one on Smith’s neck and the other lying on a table. Smith said he bought them at Aylesbury Market. William Rolls – he lives at Heath and Reach with his father. He is in his 17th year. He took the woollen wrappers from Mr Stone’s shop on Saturday 14 December. They were lying outside on a board. He took them to Thomas Smith’s house in Leighton. Smith and his wife were present. He gave one to Thomas Smith and the other to his wife. They did not ask him where he got them. Thomas Smith thanked him. Mrs Smith gave him a handkerchief in return for the one he gave her. Thomas Ruffhead, police constable stationed at Leighton Buzzard – on Wednesday 22 January about 7.30pm he went to Smith’s house with PC Plowman. He told Smith he wished to search his house. Smith said “you can search where you like you will find nothing here”. He went upstairs and found the scarves amongst some dirty linen in a corner of one of the bedrooms. He took them downstairs and told Smith he would take them. Smith said he could take them and show them to whoever he liked as they were his. Thomas Smith – he has nothing to say.

item

Smith, Thomas,
Smith, Frederick,
Rolls, William,
Stone, Henry,
Durrant, William,
Plowman, Charles,
Ruffhead, Thomas

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