QSR1855/3/5/54

Depositions of John Clark, farmer of Luton, Daniel Rumbles, labourer of Luton, William Pedder, labourer of Luton, his wife, Fanny Pedder and George Smith, police constable of Luton. In the case of John Lowin, accused of stealing a shovel.

18 June 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

John Clark: a farmer at Luton. He had a shovel stolen about Michaelmas. The prisoner had been in his employment at the time and was using the shovel to spread dung. He had not seen it from that time until 5 June when he saw it in the possession of William Pedder. From information received he went to Pedder and there found the shovel. He told Pedder to take it to his house and he would send a man to identify it. Before he had been to Pedder his man, Rumbles, had described a mark on the shovel. When he found the shovel he saw the mark as it had been described. Rumbles afterwards brought the shovel to him and he gave it to PC Smith. Daniel Runbles: a ploughman to Mr John Clark and was in his employment at Michaelmas. The prisoner was also in his employment, spreading dung with the shovel. He saw Lowin take the shovel out of the stable and he did not see it again until 9 June when he went to Pedder’s house. Pedder’s wife showed him the shovel and gave it him. He knew it to be his master’s property by a dent on the side. He described the dent to his master before going to Pedder’s. William Pedder: a labourer living at Stopsley. A fortnight ago he bought the shovel from the prisoner, giving him a shilling and 3 pence for it. He had bought it at the Anchor. Fanny Pedder: wife of William. On 9 June, Daniel Rumbles came to the house. She showed him the shovel and he took it away with him. PC George Smith: he took the prisoner into custody and charged him with stealing the shovel. Lowin said he had bought it off a man about 18 months ago in Luton and had given 15 pence for it. Lowin said he did not know the man. Statement of the accused: he bought the shovel one Saturday night down by the Dukes Head off a man in the street who said he was hard up. He gave one and three pence for it.

item

Lowin, John,
Clark, John,
Rumbles, Daniel,
Pedder, William,
Pedder, Fanny,
Smith, George

LUTON, stealing, spade, farmer