QSR1858/1/5/13

Depositions of Mary Ann Young, wife of George, an innkeeper at Leighton Buzzard. Isabella Spencer, a servant and William Clough, Inspector of Police at Leighton Buzzard. In the case of Ann Theresa Webster accused of stealing 7 shillings.

17 November 1857

From: 1857 To: 1858

Mary Ann Young: on the evening of 11 November, a single woman, Ann Theresa Webster who lived with her parent, came to the house for some porter. She was in the habit of coming to the house for some porter. Her husband went downstairs to draw the porter and she was in the adjoining room with the door open. She heard a sound as if the till was being unlocked and immediately went to the bar. She found the prisoner close to the till, which was partly open. There was no one else in there and the till had been previously locked. As soon as she entered the prisoner ran to the front door and she ran after her. She caught her and held her until her son came. She missed 2 half crowns and some shillings from the till. She accused the prisoner of taking the money and the prisoner said she hoped to be forgiven. When George Young arrived from the cellar, the prisoner begged him to forgive her. She had before suspected the prisoner of robbing the till when she came for porter. Isabella Spencer: on the evening of 11 November she heard a disturbance in the passage of her master’s house leading from the bar. She saw the prisoner on the ground and her mistress was standing by. She saw some silver money in the prisoners mouth but she could not say what it was or how much. She went for assistance but before she went she heard the prisoner ask her master to forgive her. Inspector William Clough: on the evening of 11 November he was sent for to the Plume of Feather Inn by George Young. He saw the prisoner lying on the floor in the kitchen and she seemed insensible. He was informed of what she was charged with and that she was supposed to have swallowed 6 shillings. He sent for the doctor who prescribed for her and she was removed to the lock up. The following day the prisoner told her father, in his presence, that she had not swallowed the money but had hidden it under the beer engine. He went to the spot and there found, among the cobwebs and dust, 2 shillings. Statement of the accused: she was sorry that she took the money and would not do so again.

item

Webster, Ann Theresa,
Young, Mary Ann,
Young, George,
Spencer, Isabella,
Clough, William

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, innkeeper, servant, stealing, money, Leighton Buzzard Plume of Feathers, porter [beer]