QSR1848/1/5/2

Depositions and examination - George Stokes of Shefford, charged with obtaining 3s 5d from Lucy Taylor by false pretences

22 October 1848

From: 1848 To: 1848

Lucy Taylor of Clifton, spinster – yesterday afternoon (21 Oct) about 4.30 her mother sent her to Shefford to buy some tobacco. When she got to Shefford she saw Stokes and asked him the way to Mr Payne’s shop. He asked what she wanted and where she came from. When she told him he said he was going to Clifton, that he knew her mother, and if she gave him the money she had with her he would buy the tobacco for he. Stokes asked her to wait on the bridge until he came and then he would give her a ride home. He said he would not be more than ¼ hour. She gave him 3s 5d, wrapped up in a piece of paper. She went to the bridge and waited a long time but he did not come. She then went home and told her mother. Sarah, wife of George Lockey of Clifton, shopkeeper – she is the mother of Lucy Taylor. Yesterday afternoon she gave her 3s 5d and sent her to buy some tobacco at Shefford. Lucy came home crying without either the money or the tobacco. William Hann of Clifton, police constable – he knew Stokes by the description the little girl gave and found him at Shefford. Stokes was rather fresh. He took Stokes into custodyk, took him to Mrs Lockey’s house at Clifton and Lucy Taylor recognised him immediately as the man who took the money from her. He searched Stokes and found one half crown, one shilling, one sixpence, one four penny piece, one penny and one half penny in his possession. George Stokes – he was at Shefford selling some onions. He did not go down in the town lower than the brewhouse. He did not see or speak to any little girl.

item

Stokes, George,
Taylor, Lucy,
Lockey, George,
Lockey, Sarah,
Hann, William

CLIFTON, SHEFFORD, false pretences, shopkeeper, police constable, tobacco