QSR1858/1/5/14a

Depositions of Charles John Coales, watchmaker of Luton. Eliza Deeley wife of John, victualler of Luton, Samuel Hawkins, watchmaker of Luton, Ellen Moody, spinster of Luton and George Smith, police sergeant of Luton. In the case of Decima Ann Higdon [Higden] accused of obtaining a pair of black bracelets, a pair of hair bracelets, a brooch, a locket and other locket by false pretences.

2 November 1857

From: 1857 To: 1858

Charles John Coales: on 21 October the prisoner went to his shop and said her mother had gone by the shop window and seen some black bracelets. She asked if she could take some for her mother to look at and that her mother was named Deeley and living in London Road. He showed her the bracelets and she picked out a pair worth 7 shillings and sixpence. She then picked out a pair of hair bracelets with 7 shillings each. She said her mother also wanted a brooch and choose one worth 9 shillings. She them looked into the glass and saw a little heart locket and said her mamma had been all over Luton looking for one. It was worth 2 shillings and sixpence. She also chose a round locket worth 5 shillings. The prisoner said she would bring them all back that evening. It was about 6.40pm when she took them. He waited until 8pm and she did not return. He went to London Road to enquire for Mrs Deeley and found there was a Mrs Deeley at the Woolpack there. Mrs Deeley told him she had not sent her daughter for things and that her daughter was at school in London. The prisoner had a thick brown veil on when she went to the shop and he could not see her features well. He had no doubt the prisoner was the girl who had the things and she was dressed the same except for the veil. Eliza Deeley: he husband, John, kept the Woolpack in London Road, Luton. The prisoner was no relation to her. She had no authorised the prisoner to go to Mr Coales and obtain goods in her name. He daughter had been away nearly 6 months and had not been to Luton since. Her daughter was at Edmonton. She did not know anyone else in Luton by the name of Deeley. Samuel Hawkins: on 26 October the prisoner came to his shop and showed him a pair of bracelets and asked him to buy them. He had received information that someone had obtained bracelets from Mr Coales. He left the prisoner in the shop with his wife and went for Mr Coales. Coales identified the bracelets as his property. Sergeant Smith came into the shop and took the prisoner into custody. He saw the prisoner take the lockets and brooch out of her pocket and give them to Sergeant Smith. The prisoner had told him she bought the bracelets in London at a large jeweller’s by the name of James. Ellen Moody: she was staying at Luton and was the prisoner’s aunt. On 25 October she was at the house of the prisoner’s mother and the prisoner gave her a locket, saying her companion had given it to her. The prisoner didn’t say who her companion was. On 26 October she gave it to Sergeant Smith. Sergeant George Smith: on 26 October he went to Hawkin’s house having heard the prisoner was there. He took her into custody. He asked her name and she said it was Ann James and that she lived in London Road. She said her mother had sent her to sell the bracelets and if a policeman should happen on her, she was to call out murder and try to get away. He searched the prisoner and found a brooch and a heart locket. He received the pair of hair bracelets from Mr Hawkins and the locket from Ellen Moody. The black bracelets were found in a box at her father’s house. On the way to the police station he asked the prisoner if her name was Higdon and she said it was. The prisoner said she had told him the wring name as she was afraid her mother would know. Statement of the accused: nothing.

item

Higdon, Decima Ann,
Coales, Charles John,
Deeley, John,
Deeley, Eliza,
Hawkins, Samuel,
Moody, Ellen,
Smith, George

LUTON, Luton London Road, Luton Woolpack, victualler, watchmaker, false pretences, bracelets, JEWELLERY