QSR1854/3/5/4

Depositions of Caleb Howes, bootmaker of Luton, James Parrott, dealer in marine stores of Luton and Edward Godfrey, superintendent of police. In the case of Charles Bigg accused of stealing a brass boiler.

24 April 1854

From: 1854 To: 1854

Caleb Howes: on 14 April he had a brass boiler on his premises which he last saw between 9 and 10pm. On 15 April about 9am he missed it. He knew the boiler produced to be his property as he saw it constantly and it had been mended. James Parrott: on 15 April the prisoner brought him a brass kettle which he asked him to buy. He gave him 5d for a pound weight of it and it weighed 8 pounds. Mr Godfrey called on the following Saturday and took the kettle away. Edward Godfrey: in consequence of information received he went to Mr Parrott’s on 22 April and asked if he had bought a brass boiler. He took away the boiler and showed it to Howes, who identified it as his own property. He apprehended the prisoner and told him the charge. The prisoner made no reply. On the way to the station he asked Bigg where he had got the cooper and Bigg said he had not stolen it and later said he knew nothing of it. Statement of the accused: he had found the cooper in a ditch by the side of a lane. It had been hammered up the same as it was when retrieved. He had nothing else to say but they had been another man with him when he picked it up.

item

Howes, Calab,
Parrott, James,
Godfrey, Edward

LUTON, marine stores dealer, stealing, kettle, bootmaker