QSR1857/4/5/9

Depositions of George Smith, labourer of Luton and William Frederick Knight, police constable of Luton. In the case of James Sibley accused of stealing a coat.

28 September 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

George Smith: on 4 September he was driving a plough in a field of Mr Thomas Pigotts at Stopsley in the parish of Luton. He left 2 of his oats on the hedge about 10am. When he came out of the field about 2pm he found one of the coats gone. He looked about but could not find it. On 23 September he saw the prisoner with his coat on and asked him where he had it from. The prisoner said he had bought it and he had since seen his coat in the hands of the police. He knew it to be his coat by the tear in the left hand pocket. William Frederick Knight: he took the prisoner into custody on 25 September and charged him with stealing the coat. The prisoner said he had not stolen the coat and had it given to him. The coat was identified by George Smith. Statement of the accused: he did not tell him that he bought it. He told him he had it given to him.

item

Sibley, James,
Smith, George,
Knight, William Frederick,
Pigott, Thomas

LUTON, STOPSLEY, stealing, coat