QSR1889/1/5/2

Depositions of Albert Trott of Waller Street, Luton and William Chamberlain, police constable of Luton. In the case of Jacob Josh alias John Reader accused of stealing a tricycle.

12 December 1888

From: 1888 To: 1889

Albert Trott: a jeweller and cycle agent of Waller Street in Luton. On 8 December about 3.15pm the prisoner came in and said “let me have a tricycle to go to Dunstable”. Trott said “if you give me a reference as you are a stranger”. The prisoner gave his name as John Johnson of 19 Collingdon Street, Luton and he said that Mr Spratley knew him well. Trott allowed him the machine and the prisoner rode it away saying he would be back between 7 and 8. In consequence of what he was told by detective Chamberlain, they hired a trap and went to St Albans in search of the prisoner. They would him trying to sell the machine for £2. The machine was worth £12. William Chamberlain: a detective officer of the Luton Police Force. On Saturday 8 December about 5pm he read a description of the prisoner in the Police Gazette. The prisoner was wanted in Kings Lynn for stealing a piano and also wanted at Huddersfield, Rugby, Portsmouth and other places for stealing tricycles. Chamberlain went round to warn the cycle agents and ascertained that the prisoner had been to Sparkes Shop in Park Street, where he unsuccessfully tried to obtain a bicycle. Chamberlain went to Spratley’s where he found the prisoner had also been. He then found that the prisoner had got a tricycle from Trott and on showing Trott the description in the gazette, Trott identified him. Chamberlain hired a horse and trap and went with Trott to St Albans where he found the prisoner had been offering the machine for sale. From further enquiries he found the machine in the yard of the Cock public house in St Albans and he watched the house for about 20 minutes. The prisoner went into the bar and Chamberlain followed. He asked Josh if he had a machine for sale and he was told yes and was invited to take a look at it. Chamberlain asked the prisoner how much he wanted for it and was told £2. Chamberlain asked where he was from and was told from Garston in Hertfordshire and that was also where he had bought the machine. Josh produced a receipt from his purse and Chamberlain asked if the man was called John Reader. The prisoner replied it was. Chamberlain returned the receipt. A constable came up and the prisoner tore up the receipt. Chamberlain took the prisoner into custody; he became violent and said he would not be taken to prison alive. The prisoner was taken to St Albans police station and searched. A receipt, a machine wrench, a knife, comb, an old purse, matches and some tobacco was found on him. No money was found. The prisoner said he had not stolen the machine. Statement of the accused: “I am guilty of this charge”.

10 pages

item

Josh, Jacob,
Reader, John,
Trott, Albert,
Chamberlain, William,
Spratley,
Sparkes

LUTON, Luton Waller Street, St Albans, stealing, tricycles, jeweller, cycle agent, St.Albans Cock