QSR1896/4/5/1a

Depositions of Alice Matthews, Peter Matthews, John Nottingham and Edith Vlake Turner. In the case of Charles Price, indicted for obtaining board and lodging by false pretences from Alice Matthews.

17th to 20th July 1896

From: 1896 To: 1896

Alice Matthews, wife of Peter Matthews of Dovers Walk, Dunstable: The Prisoner came to her house on 17th about 5. He said he wanted apartments. He said he was recommended to the Witness by Mrs. Nealey, the Witness’s aunt. He said the two rooms would do, and agreed to pay 15 shillings a week for board, lodging and attendance. He said he was come as a photographer and would commence his duties at Mr. Turner’s in High St. on Monday for a week on trial. In consequence of his statements, the Witness let the apartments to the Prisoner. The Prisoner left on 20th. He said that day he would ride down on his machine but the Witness did not see him again. In the evening after some conversation with Mrs. Turner the Witness gave information to the police. The Prisoner paid her nothing. Peter Matthews: On Friday 17th he came home about 10:30 and saw the Prisoner having his supper. The Prisoner said he was come for a week’s trial at Mr. Turner’s. The week was to begin on Monday. The Witness never received any money from him. John Nottingham, Inspector, Beds Constabulary: Last Monday he charged the Prisoner with obtaining food and lodgings on false pretences to the value of 7/6 between 17th and 20th. He said, “Yes, I did so”. Edith Vlake Turner: The Witness attends to her brother’s business of a photographer. She has no knowledge of the Prisoner. If the Prisoner had had an engagement at her shop she should have known it, also if he had applied for such an engagement. Alice Matthews recalled: The words the Prisoner used to her were such that she had no doubt he already had an engagement. He said that Mr. Turner recommended him to Mrs. Nealey for apartments and that he had been to Mrs. Nealy’s but she was full. The Witness supplied the Prisoner with board and lodgings to the value of 7/6. Statement of the Defendant, Charles Price: "I did not give her to understand that I had come for a week on trial nor that Mrs. Turner had recommended me anywhere nor that I had been to Mr. Turners at all." Asked whether he desired to call any witnesses, the Defendant said, "I have none to call."

item

Price, Charles,
Matthews, Alice,
Matthews, Peter,
Nottingham, John,
Turner, Edith Vlake

false pretences, DUNSTABLE