QSR1854/1/5/7-8

Depositions of John Dawson, beer retailer of Dunstable, Ann Dawson, his wife and William Dunne, police constable of Redbourn. In the case of Thomas Leone & Emanuel Castile accused of stealing a calico sheet and a woollen blanket.

14 November 1853

From: 1853 To: 1854

John Dawson: keeper of the Black Horse in Dunstable. On 10 November the 2 prisoners came and asked for lodging. They lodged there for the night and went away between 8 and 9am the next day. Dawson’s wife went upstairs after they had gone and missed a sheet off the bed in the room in which the men had slept. She told her husband and he went after them towards St Albans. At Redbourn, he passed the prisoner and then went and called on the policeman who went after them. The policeman got into a cart and went after them quicker and he met the policeman later bring into the men back. The policeman showed him a sheet which he knew to be his property. He later saw the prisoners at Redbourn lock-up and he was also showed a blanket. Dawson said his wife would know if it was his blanket and he came with the prisoners to Dunstable. At Dunstable the tall prisoner asked him to forgive them and said he replied it was out of his powers and he could not forgive him. Ann Dawson: the 2 prisoners lodged at her husband’s house and when they had gone away she went upstairs and missed a sheet. She told her husband and he followed the 2 prisoners. Afterwards he came back with the prisoners and the policeman. The policeman showed her a sheet and a blanket which she knew to be her husband’s property. PC William Dunne: John Dawson called on him and said that there were 2 men of colour going along the road towards St Albans which had taken a sheet from his house at Dunstable. He went after them and overtook them about 2 miles from St Albans. He searched Emanuel Castile and found a sheet inside his sheet. He took the men back and met John Dawson on the road. Dawson identified the sheet as his. He took the prisoners to the lock-up at Redbourn and searched Thomas Leone and found a blanket. He showed it to Dawson who said his wife would know if it was his. He took the prisoners to Dunstable and there showed the blanket and sheet to Mrs Dawson and she identified them. He heard Thomas Leone ask Dawson to forgive him and Dawson said it was out of his hands. Statement of the accused: Emanuel Dawson – “I have nothing to say but wish to beg pardon”. Thomas Leone - “I beg pardon. I will never do it again but I was cold on the road and wanted something to keep me warm”.

item

Leone, Thomas,
Castile, Emanuel,
Dawson, John,
Dawson, Ann,
Dunne, William

DUNSTABLE, Redbourn, stealing, Dunstable Black Horse, seaman