QSR1858/1/5/6

Depositions of Mary Arnold, widow of Biggleswade and Richard Todd, police constable of Biggleswade. In the case of Mary Ann Taylor accused of stealing 4 half sovereigns.

26 December 1857

From: 1857 To: 1858

Mary Arnold: she lived with her mother Mrs Ann Butterfield at Biggleswade and carried on the business of a wool shop in partnership with her. On 24 December she was in the adjoining shop and heard some noise in the shop like money falling on the ground. She went off into the shop and saw the prisoner. She said to the prisoner that she had heard money drop and then observed the till was open. She missed 4 half sovereigns which had been wrapped in the till. She mentioned the loss and asked the prisoner if she would show her what she had in her pockets. The prisoner turned her little pocket inside out and it had no money in it. The prisoner left the shop and she advised the police. PC Richard Todd: on 24 December he heard of the robbery from Mrs Butterfield’s shop. He went after the prisoner and found her in the house of Charlotte Boness. He asked her for the money she had taken from the till and she said she had taken none. He threatened to lock her up and Charlotte Boness said to her that she knew she had the money and she had better tell where it was. The prisoner then said she would go and show her where to find it. About 20 or 30 yards from the house she told him to look behind the post. He put his hand to the ground behind the post and removed a little loose earth. He found the money wrapped in a piece of rag. She said there were 4 sovereigns. He took her into custody. Statement of the accused: she should not have taken the money if it had not been for Charlotte Boness. Boness stood by the door and held it open whilst she went in and took the money.

item

Taylor, Mary Ann,
Arnold, Mary,
Todd, Richard,
Boness, Charlotte

BIGGLESWADE, stealing, coins, shopkeeper