QSR1891/4/5/5

Depositions of Joseph Bing - Beerhouse Keeper of Clifton; Annie Bing wife of Joseph Bing; Henry Jerman of Clapham London a Detective Sergeant Metropolitan Police; Pleniy Arnsby Wright of Biggleswade, Police Constable; In the Case of Joseph Bing of Clifton, Beerhouse Keeper accused of feloniously stealing 15/-s in money or thereabouts and two books together of the value of 2/-s the monies goods and chattels of Lewis Richards late of Clifton aforesaid now of No. 63 Haines Street, Battersea, London - Cashier.

20th August 1891

From: 1891 To: 1891

Depositions of Joseph Bing of Clifton - Beer house Keeper. Annie Bing wife of Joseph Bing; Henry Jerman a Detective Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police and Pleniy [Pliny] [Pleny] Arnsby Wright of Biggleswade, Police Constable. Taken on Oath this second day of September in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety One at The Town Hall Biggleswade in the County aforesaid, before the undersigned, two of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said county in the presence and hearing of Lewis [Lewes] Richards who is charged this day before us for that he the said Lewis Richards on the Twentieth day of August One thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety One at Clifton in the County aforesaid did feloniously steal 15/- shillings or thereabouts in money and one book entitled the Rival Detectives of the value of 1/- shilling the monies goods and chattels of one Joseph Bing contrary to the statute in such case made and provided This Deponent Joseph Bing on his oath saith as follows: I am a Beer House Keeper at Clifton. On Tuesday 18th August 1891 the prisoner about 9.50 pm came in to my house and asked for sleeping accommodation representing himself as a friend of Mr Thos. Taylor’s of Clifton baker. I let him have a Bedroom in which was a wash hand stand with a drawer in it and in the drawer was the box produced containing about 15/- 17/-or 18/-[struck through on document]to £1 in money to £1 in money which I and my wife had put by for the children – there was also the book produced (without covers) entitled“ The Rival Detectives “ The Rival Detectives” - I saw him again on the 19th at night and in conversation he represented himself as a Cashier at Reading – he went to bed again that night in the same bedroom as before – on the 20th from suspicions I and my wife went upstairs to the Bedroom he occupied when we found about 15/- shillings had been taken out of the box produced – and the book “Rival Detectives” also missing – other drawers in the room had been tampered with and turned about – the following morning I gave information to the Police. I value the book at 1/- shilling. This Deponent Annie wife of Joseph Bing of Clifton Innkeeper on her oath saith:-On the 18th August the prisoner about 8pm came to our house – I saw in the kitchen he said “Can you put me up for a night” he had nothing with him but a walking stick and gloves – I told him I could put him up a night and he stated he required it for 2 or 3 nights – he then went out saying he should not be gone long – he returned about 5 mins to 10 o’clock he then had a small brown paper parcel – he stayed downstairs a few moments and then retired to his bedroom – in this room in the drawer was the box I now produce containing about 17/- shillings in various coins principally coppers - there was also in the drawer the book produced entitled the “Rival Detectives” – the last time I put some money in was the Friday previous I then left it all right – no one enters the room but myself – I have no lodgers – he came down stairs on the morning of the 19th about 8o’clock he asked for breakfast and I gave it him – he stated he was going to Shefford – at this time Miss Morgan came for him and they went out together – he returned at 10pm the same night and came in the kitchen and had a bottle of ginger ale – he retired to the same Bedroom – about 20 past 10 – he came downstairs about 8 the next morning – he left soon afterwards saying he was going to have breakfast at his Aunts’ – he returned the same day about 2 in the afternoon – he asked if he might have a wash and change his trousers – I said “Yes” and he went upstairs he was there about 10 minutes – he came down and said “I am going to the Station to see a young lady off” and on looking thro’ the window he further said “As it is so wet I shall make an excuse and come back tonight” and further added “Have you a book you can lend me?” I said “Yes” I then fetched him the book produced entitled “The Day Will Come” I handed it to him and he said “Do you mind me taking it across to Taylors to read” I said “You might if you will bring it back” – he did not bring the book back – nor did I see him before the day he was remanded Monday the 31st – On the evening of the 20th from what I heard I went with my husband upstairs – I looked in the drawer where the money box produced was and the book “The Rival Detective” the book was not there I opened the box and missed about 15/- shillings in money principally coppers – I found a desk had been opened and the secret drawers taken out but not replaced – other drawers in the room had been disarranged – he purchased 3 Cigars and paid me in coppers = 2 -1/2 oz: tobacco 4d also paid in coppers = 2 botts. Ginger ale 3d also paid in coppers. [Cross Examined by prisoner] You gave me coppers. This Deponent of Henry Jerman saith:- I am Detective Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police stationed at Clapham. From correspondence received for Supt. Smith of the Bedfordshire Constabulary on Thursday the 27th day of August 1891 I received the book produced entitled the “Rival Detective” from Mr George Morgan of 12 Arden Street, Battersea – it was lying on the parlour table – and on Saturday 29th August about 5 p.m. I arrested the prisoner at 12 Arden Street and on the same table in the parlour I found the book produced “The Day Will Come” I read the Warrant to him at the same time stating that is one of the books mentioned in the Warrant – he replied “that book was lent me” - I took him to Battersea Park Road Police Station with his Portmanteau and sticks – he was detained there and Supt. Smith communicated with – On Sunday the 30th August I handed the prisoner over to P.C. Wright No. 41 of the Bedfordshire Constabulary with the property I found with him – also the book entitled “Tival Detective” which I showed the prisoner in the presence of P.C. Wright stating to the prisoner “I received this from Mr Morgan” the prisoner replied “Yes I Brought that up as it was lent to me “but I am innocent of stealing the money” I fond 10/- in gold and 10/- in silver on him. This Deponent of Pleniy Arnsby Wright saith:- I am a Police Constable stationed at Biggleswade. On Sundday 30 August I took the prisoner into my custody from Detective Sergeant Jenman of Battersea Park Road Police Station – read the Warrant to the prisoner and in reply he stated “I know nothing whatever about the money and the books were lent to me” on arriving at Kings X Station he stated “I am afraid the Books will do me I had no right to have brought them away” I then brought him on to Biggleswade Police Station. I was present where Sergt. Jerman produced the book to the prisoner entitled the “Rival Detective” stating “I received this from Mr. Morgan – the prisoner replied “Yes I brought that up with me as it was lent me but am innocent of stealing the money” On searching the prisoners Portmanteau I found 4 purses – 1 Book – 1 locket several trinkets - pin cushion – scent bottle and case – valuable paper length – 4 watch chains – 3 pawn tickets – pair of Gents new needle work slippers. Post Card - Addressed to the Admiral Public House, Clifton Near Arlesey Bedfordshire – Dear Sirs I am sorry I did not let you know before but the young lady was taken ill so I so I had to come home with her but I shall be up again next week. Yours ever J Morgan The foregoing depositions of Joseph Bing - Annie Bing – Henry Jenman and Pleniy Arnsby Wright were taken on oath at Biggleswade the 2nd day of September 1891 before us - Statement of Accused: I am not guilty – one book “The day will come” was lent me – and I took the other to read as I was told by Mrs Bing I might take another to read” I also wrote to say I would come and pay her what I owed her on the Saturday. Instruction for Indictment: Beds Michaelmas Quarter Session 1891 Joseph Bing - Prosecutor –V- Lewis [Lewes]Richards Defendant 1st Count - For that he on the 20th day of August 1891 at Clifton in the County of Bedford did feloniously steal 15/- in money or thereabouts and one book of the value 1/- the moneys goods and chattels of one Joseph Bing contrary to the statue in such case made and provided. 2nd Count: Feloniously receiving the same. 3rd Count: Previous conviction for felony at The Chelmsford Quarter sessions 19th February 1890. Witnesses: Joseph Bing – Clifton, Innkeeper; Annie Bing – Clifton wife of Joseph Bing. Henry Jerman – Clapham, London - Detective Sergeant; Pleniy [Pliny] [Pleny]Arnsby Wright – Biggleswade – Police Constable; Walter Scott – New Scotland Yard Police Inspector. Hooper and Co Solicitors for the Prosecution.

11 pages (includes small postcard)

item

Bing, Joseph,
Bing, Annie,
Jerman, Henry,
Wright, Pleniy Arnsby,
Richards, Lewes,
Taylor, Thomas,
Morgan, George,
Scott, Walter

CLIFTON, London Clapham, BIGGLESWADE, Battersea Park Police Station, Hoopers and Co Solicitors, London Battersea, New Scotland Yard, larceny, police officer, baker, beerhouse keeper, Metropolitan Police, cashier