QSR1888/3/5/5d

Depositions of Charles Chamberlain, police constable of Luton, Frank Tompkins, errand boy and Bryan Smither, draper of Luton. In the case of Dorcas Thatcher accused of stealing 2 rolls of oil cloth and a roll of dress material.

6 June 1888

From: 1888 To: 1888

Frank Tompkins: an errand boy at Earl’s bookshop in Wellington Street, Luton. The shop is next door to Smither’s. On Saturday about 11.15pm he was standing outside his master’s shop and saw the prisoner take a bundle of socks and stockings from outside Smither’s shop. She put them in her arm and went up the street. Bryan William Smither: a draper in Wellington Street. On Saturday he missed black dress stuff and he sent for PC Chamberlain. Whilst the PC was in the shop Tompkins came in and told him about the socks and stockings. The dress length had been tied to a chair outside the shop. He went after the prisoner and found the socks and stockings in her arms. She had been walking away. The oil cloth produced was also his and the value of the materials came to 43 shillings in all. The prisoner said she had not taken the socks. PC Charles Chamberlain: on Saturday about 11pm he was with Smither’s regarding the loss of dress material. Tompkins came in and said he had seen the prisoner take socks. He and Smithers followed the prisoner and found the sock and stockings on her. Chamberlain searched her house and found the roll of dress material and oil cloth. She said she did not know anyone had seen her and she had been under the influence of drink. The prisoner further said she had not stolen the cloth or other stuff. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

6 pages

item

Thatcher, Dorcas,
Chamberlain, Charles,
Tompkins, Frank,
Smither, Bryan

stealing, LUTON, cloth, draper, Luton Wellington Street, bookseller