QSR1858/1/5/1

Depositions of Francis Poole, residing at the Nags Head Inn and manager of the Linslade Iron Ore Company. Mardling Parsons, wife of Joshua, keeper of the Nags Head Inn, William Dumpleton, pawnbroker of Leighton Buzzard and George Mardlin, police constable of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of John Ross accused of obtaining a black coat, a double breasted waistcoat, a pair of black trousers, a linen sheet and a silk neck tie by false pretences.

10 November 1857

From: 1857 To: 1858

Francis Poole: he was engaged as manager of the ‘Lindslade Iron Ore Company’ at Leighton Buzzard and was residing at the Nags Head Inn. About 10 days ago he employed John Ross but on 9 November Ross absented himself without authority. On returning to his lodging he was informed by his landlady that the prisoner had been and fetched away some of his clothes. It consisted of a black coat, a double breasted vest, a pair of black trousers, a linen shirt and a silk neck tie. The prisoner said he had been sent to collect the clothes by Poole. He had not sent him. The clothes produced were his and were valued at £4. Mardling Parsons: wife of Joshua Parsons, keeper of the Nags Head in Leighton Buzzard. Francis Poole was a lodger and the prisoner had also lodged at the house for about 10 days. She knew the prisoner to be employed by Mr Poole. On 9 November the prisoner came to her and told her a serious affair had happened and that Mr Poole had fallen into the water out of a boat. The prisoner said she was to send Poole’s clothes to the farm and he would take them. She went upstairs to Mr Poole’s room and brought down a coat, vest, trousers, shirt and neck tie and she tied them in a small handkerchief of her own. She gave them to the prisoner and he said he would return with the wet clothes. Soon after the prisoner had gone, Mr Poole returned and denied giving anyone authority to fetched away his clothes. William Dumpleton: on the afternoon of 9 November the prisoner came to his shop offering a suit of clothes as a pledge. The prisoner asked for 15 shillings and said that he was going to work at the Rocks and would be able to redeem them in 3 weeks. He told the prisoner that the less money he had then the less interest he would have to pay and the prisoner said he needed at least 10 shillings so he was given that. The prisoner said the things were his own. PC George Mardlin: he went in pursuit of the prisoner and found him at Little Brickhill in a public house. He asked the prisoner if he had come from Leightin that day and the prisoner replied he had not been to Leighton at all. He took the prisoner into custody and told him the charge which the prisoner denied. He searched the prisoner and found a duplicate with the name of F Poole upon it. On the road to Leighton the prisoner confessed to him that beer had brought him into a trouble. Statement of the accused: not guilty.

item

Ross, John,
Poole, Francis,
Parsons, Mardling,
Dumpleton, William,
Mardlin, George

LINSLADE, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Little Brickhill, false pretences, coat, waistcoat, trousers, Leighton Buzzard Nags Head, Lake Street, iron ore