QSR1860/1/5/5

Depositions of George Smith, sergeant of police of Luton. John Wilkinson, retailer of beer of Luton and John Brown, victualler of Luton. In the case of John Smith accused of stealing a bushel of beans.

5 December 1859

From: 1859 To: 1860

Police Sergeant George Smith: on 8 December, inconsequence of information received he went to the Pea Hen beer house in Park Street kept by John Wilkinson. Wilkinson gave him a sack of beans and he took the beans away. He had taken the prisoner into custody and charged him with stealing the beans from John Brown of the Horseshoes Public House that morning. The prisoner confessed to having stolen them and said he hoped Mr Brown would forgive him as he had taken them to get some money for food. He showed the beans to Mr Brown who identified them as his beans. John Wilkinson: he kept the Pea Hen beer house in Park Street, Luton. On 3 December the prisoner brought the beans to his house and asked if he could leave them there. The prisoner did not offer them for sale. The prisoner put them down in the yard and the same day Sergeant Smith came for them. John Brown: keeper of the Horseshoes public house in Luton. He knew the prisoner who occasionally worked for him. On 3 December Sergeant Smith came to the house and asked him if he had lost beans. Smith showed him some beans and matched them with those in the bin. He believed them to be is property. He was present when Smith charged the prisoner. At first the prisoner denied the charge but then said he had stolen them and hoped for forgiveness. Statement of the accused: “no sir not now”.

item

Smith, John,
Smith, George,
Wilkinson, John,
Brown, John

LUTON, beer retailer, victualler, stealing, beans, Luton Park Street