- ReferenceQSR1863/1/5/2
- TitleDepositions of James Gudgeon, carpenter of Luton. Levi Welch, labourer of Luton. George James, police constable of Luton. John Allen, police constable of Luton. Isaac Mariner, police constable of Luton. Elizabeth Cumberland, wife of the landlord of the Victoria beer shop in Luton. In the case of Henry Francis accused of stealing a silver watch.
- Date free text27 October 1862
- Production dateFrom: 1862 To: 1863
- Scope and ContentJames Gudgeon: residing at Round Green and keeper of the Royal Oak public house. On 21 October he was at the Victoria beer house in High Town, Luton about 7pm. The landlord was John Cumberland. His watch was safe in his pocket when he entered the house. It was a double cased silver watch and was worth £5. The prisoner wanted to drink with him but he refused. He had a scuffle with him and put his arm across him and punched him backwards and he felt his watch go out of his pocket. There was man named Poulter there and he accused him of taking his watch and told Francis he thought he knew something about it. Francis said he would smash his head and they got him in a corner and were all round him. Worlsey said to send for a policeman and they would all be searched in the house. He saw 2 men go out before that. Next afternoon Levi Welch brought the watch to his house and threw it down and asked if it was his. He said it was his and asked where he had it from. Welch replied ‘never you mind’ and that he had got it back. He gave the watch to PC Allen. He had not been drunk but had plenty. Worsley had been with him a Snoxalls and had gone with him to the Victoria. Levi Welch: he lived at no.5 North Place, High Town and was a labourer. On 21 October about 7pm he was in the Victoria beer house at the top of York Street. He saw Gudgeon and Francis there and they had a scuffle. During the scuffle Gudgeon said he had lost his watch. The next afternoon he took the watch to Gudgeon’s house. He had it from Henry Francis. Francis said he had picked it up outside after Gudgeon had gone. Francis said he should not take it as he didn’t like him and he had accused him in the house of taking it. Welch offered to take it to him and did so. Mitchell had gone to fetch a policeman before they were all searched and he did not see anyone else go out. Francis did not go out and Gudgeon was tipsy. PC George James: on 22 October he took Francis into custody and told him the watch of Gudgeon’s hand been traced into his possession. Francis said he knew nothing about the watch and had never seen it. In the presence of Welch, Francis repeated this but then said he had found the watch outside Cumberland’s house and had not known it was Gudgeon’s. He charged the prisoner. PC John Allen: on 22 October Gudgeon gave him the watch. He was with PC James when Francis was taken into custody. At first Francis denied all knowledge of the watch but afterwards, in Welch’s presence, said he had found it outside the door but had not known it was Gudgeon’s watch. PC Isaac Mariner: on 21 October he was sent to the Victoria beer house. He found James Gudgeon, Francis and several others there. Gudgeons said he had lost his watch and believed Francis had it. He searched him and did not find it. He searched some of the others but could not find it. Statement of the accused: “I am not guilty your worship that’s all”. Witness on behalf of the defendant: Elizabeth Cumberland: her husband kept the Victoria beer house at Luton. James Gudgeon came there on 21 October with another man. They called for a pint of beer. They had a second pint and they gamed about because he would only pay for one. After they had been gaming some time, Gudgeon said he had lost his watch and charged Poulter with taking it. Francis turned to go and Gudgeon caught him by the coat and said he had his watch. Francis took off his coat and waistcoat and did not leave until the police came and he was searched. Gudgeon was tipsy.
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