QSR1855/3/5/51

Depositions of William Walker, hosier of Leicester and Richard Swift, innkeeper of Dunstable. In the case of James Reynolds, accused of stating that he would take William Walker to Luton unless he paid 5 shillings (meaning that he would take him in custody to the Luton police station) with intent thereby to cheat and defraud William Walker.

28 May 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

William Walker: a hosier at Leicester. On 23 May between 5 and 6pm he called at a beer shop in the parish of Houghton Regis, kept by a person of the name of Grace, to see a person by the name of Abbott. He saw the prisoner there. He did not offer anything for sale. He had a parcel under his arm and the prisoner asked if he was travelling without a licence. He told him he was not aware that he required one. He travelled with samples but Reynolds said that unless he stood him a pint of beer he would make him his prisoner and take him to Luton. Reynolds had a bottle of ginger beer which Walker paid for. Reynolds then put his hand on his shoulder and said “you are my prisoner” and said he would take Walker to Luton. Reynolds took him down to his house and said that if he attempted to make the least resistance he would as soon as shoot him as he would a dog. Reynolds then said if he gave him 4s and 2 pairs of cotton hose, one for himself and one for his man, he would release him. Afterwards Reynolds said he would take 5 shillings instead. He paid him 5 shillings and Reynolds gave a shilling to his man and put the other 4 shillings in his pocket. He was then released and Reynolds advised him to be cautious. Walker went away. He had seen Reynolds before but did not know his name. He was informed his name was James Reynolds. Richard Swift: William Walker was in the habit of coming to his house when he came to Dunstable. On Wednesday evening Walker told him what had occurred. In consequence of what he was told, he went to Grace’s beer shop and saw Reynolds there. He said to Reynolds you didn’t mean to keep that mans money. Reynolds said he did and what did he have to do with it. Swift told Reynolds he should be ashamed of the action and if he did not send the money back with him, he would have something to do with it. Reynolds told him if he was not off he would take him. He knew Reynolds to be one of the Houghton Regis parish constables. Statement of the accused: he reserved his defence.

item

Reynolds, James,
Walker, William,
Swift, Richard

HOUGHTON REGIS, Leicester, DUNSTABLE, hosier, police constable, parish constable, false pretences, corruption, money, innkeeper