QSR1859/1/5/2

Depositions of David Cox, straw bonnet dealer of Luton, James Parsons, victualler of Luton, George Smith, police sergeant of Luton, Giovanni Moutevado, organ player of Biggleswade and William Frederick Knight, police constable of Luton. In the case of Hezekiah Odell accused of stealing 2 coats.

15 November 1858

From: 1858 To: 1859

David Cox: on 9 June he missed 3 coats and several other things from his house. The prisoner had been employed by him sometime before. He had since seen and identified 2 coats in the possession of the police. James Parsons: he lived at the White Horse public house in Luton. On 9 June the prisoner came to the house and asked if he would like to buy a coat. He bought the coat for 4 shillings and soon afterwards heard it was stolen. He gave the coat up to Sergeant Smith. Police Sergeant George Smith: on 11 June James Parsons brought a coat to him. He took the coat to David Cox who identified it as his property. The prisoner absconded and had only recently been taken into custody. Giovanni Moutevado: he travelled with an organ. On 11 June the prisoner asked if he would buy a coat, saying it was his own and wanted the money to get to Cambridge. He bought the coat for 2s 6d. He gave the coat up to PC Knight. PC William Frederick Knight: he made enquiries about the coat. He received the coat from the last witness and showed it to David Cox. Cox identified the coat as his own. The prisoner absconded. Statement of the accused: Mr Cox’s wife gave him the coat to sell on the Wednesday. He had nothing else to say.

item

Odell, Hezekiah,
Cox, David,
Parsons, James,
Smith, George,
Moutevado, Giovanni,
Knight, William Frederick

LUTON, stealing, coat, organist, straw plait dealer, Luton White Horse, absconding