QSR1890/1/5/2b

Depositions of Charles Peskett, William Thomas and Charles Osborn. In the case of Joseph Pugh accused of obtaining food, to the value of 4 shillings, by false pretences.

7 November 1890

From: 1889 To: 1890

Charles Peskett: an innkeeper at Church Street, Ampthill. The defendant went to his house on 18 October and called for a glass of ale and paid for it. There was a man by the name of Thorley selling in the room and he and the defendant conversed. From what Thorley told him he went and spoke to the defendant. The defendant told him he had a 14 shilling a week coming in from the London North Western Railway Company as a pensioner. Pugh said he had met with an accident on the railway carrying a plate and had been in hospital for 3 Christmases. Pugh told him he had got Thorley to write a letter to Mr Findlay, the general manager of the railway company and he showed Peskett the letter. The letter asked them to send on the money due to that address. The defendant asked to be taken in and Peskett agreed at 12 shillings a week on credit until the money came. The defendant said he would post the letter himself as he wanted to see the Postmaster about some letters he was expecting. No answer came from the letter. The defendant remained in the house until 21 October. Pugh asked Peskett to lend him 2s 6d to go to the doctor to get a certificate to send to his club, but Peskett told him there would be time enough when the money came. Pugh left the house soon afterward and Peskett did not see him again. It had only been in consequence of the defendant’s statements that he had given him credit. He put the board and lodging at 4 shillings. William Thomas: he was in charge of the Staff Section, Chief Accountants Office, North Western Railway at Euston Station. He did not know the defendant and his name did not appear in the Railway Company books as a pensioner. Pugh was not in receipt of any money from the company unless it was wages as a workman or entered as such, in which case it would have been recently. No such letter as the one written by Mr Thorley was received by the office. PC Charles Osborn: on 26 October the prisoner was delivered into his custody at Bedford. Pugh was read the charge and made no reply but later said he could not think what had made him do it. Pugh had been apprehended at Goldington and had no money upon him. Statement of the accused: nothing further to say.

item

Pugh, Joseph,
Peskett, Charles,
Thomas, William,
Osborn, Charles

AMPTHILL, false pretences, food, innkeeper, London North Western Railway, North Western Railway Company, accountant, pensioner, kidneys