QSR1891/1/5/3

Depositions of John Shepherd, Dealer of Leighton Buzzard and Jane Reeve, Landlandy of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of William Wallam of Leighton Buzzard accused of unlawfully and knowingly by a certain false pretence did obtain of and from John Shepherd the sum of four shillings and sixpence in money.

25th November 1890

From: 1890 To: 1891

The said John Shepherd sworn oath saith I am a General Dealer and live in Church Street Leighton Buzzard. On the 19th November 1890 Defendant came to me at my house in Leighton about 1:30 midday. He said “I have a bargainThe said John Shepherd sworn oath saith I am a General Dealer and live in Church Street Leighton Buzzard. On the 19th November 1890 Defendant came to me at my house in Leighton about 1:30 midday. He said “I have a bargain on and I asked Mrs Reeve to give me the money but she had not got it and told me I was to come to you and if I do not pay Mrs. Reeve will. Upon that representation I gave him the money half a crown. I knew the man and Mrs Reeve is my mother in law and keeps a lodging house in Work House Lane and I knew the Defendant was lodging there. The Defendant came again and told me he had not quite enough to complete the bargain and would I let him have another 2/-. I refused and said I thought there was something wrong in the matter. He said if you don’t believe come to the house with me and see for yourself. He took me to the house in Ashwell Street. I said I did not want to go inside to interfere with the deal. I gave him the 2/- as he appeared to be going into the house. As soon as I gave him the 2/- he turned around and ran away. I ran after him and caught him at the top of the Black Alley. We ran some considerable distance. I caught him and asked him for the money. He gave me the 2/- he said he had not got the 2/6. I said if he did not give it to me I should send for the Police. He did not give me the 2/6 and I gave him into custody. While I was following him asking for the money he struck at me but I avoided the blow. I hit him in the face. You told me my mother in law had sent you to me. The said Jane Reeve sworn saith I am the wife of Thomas Reeve of Leighton Buzzard. I keep a Lodging house. I know the Defendant. He has been lodging in my house since the 16th November . I never sent him to my Son in Law Shepherd to borrow money. I never told him to say to Shepherd that if he did not repay him I would. About one o’clock he asked me to lend him four pence. I refused and he then left my house and I did not see him again. Statement of the accused: "I own I borrowed the half crown but I do not own that Mrs Reeves sent me."

item

Shepherd, John,
Reeve, Jane,
Wallam, William,
Reeve, Thomas,
Harris, Theodore,
Macnamara, Arthur

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, false pretences