QSR1857/3/5/2a

Depositions of Mary Ann Cook, wife of Thomas a victualler of Luton, Benjamin Peach, labourer of Luton and George Smith, police sergeant of Luton. In the case of Jeremiah Warren accused of stealing a bill hook.

20 April 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

Mary Ann Cook: her husband Thomas kept the Cock & Magpies in Hastings Street, Luton. On 15 April the prisoner came to the house about 7.40am and remained there until between 10 and 10.30am. Directly he had gone she went to the back yard to chop some wood and missed the bill hook. The prisoner had been in the yard just before he had left. No other prisoner went into the yard during the time the prisoner was at the house. He husband gave the information to the police. She had since seen the bill hook in the possession of Police Sergeant Smith. She had used the hook everyday for 3 years and was left handed. Benjamin Peach: on 15 April he was at Mr Bavister’s skittle alley in Albert Road, Luton. The prisoner came in about 11am and had a bill hook with him. He offered it for sale and after negotiation they agreed on 4d and a pint of beer. He asked the prisoner if it was his own and he replied that it was. He later heard the prisoner was in custody for stealing the bill hook and so went to Police Sergeant Smith and gave the bill hook to him. Police Sergeant Smith: he took the prisoner into custody on 16 April and charged him. The prisoner denied the charge and said he had not seen the bill. On the afternoon of 19 April he was brought the bill hook by Benjamin Peach. Mrs Cook identified it was the one she had missed. Statement of the accused: nothing.

item

Warren, Jeremiah,
Cook, Mary Ann,
Peach, Benjamin,
Smith, George

LUTON, stealing, victualler, Luton Cock & Magpie, skittles