QSR1864/1/5/14b,15

Depositions of Mary Ann Webb, eating house keeper of 16 Chapel Street, Luton. Charles Caton, labourer of Luton. Frederick Smith, policeman of Luton. In the case of Thomas James Smith and William Costin accused of stealing 1 1/4 pounds weight of cheese.

2 November 1863

From: 1863 To: 1864

Mary Ann Webb: on Wednesday 21 October she had 1 ¼ pounds of cheese on her shop counter. She saw it there a little after 6pm and missed it about 8.10pm. Charles Caton: he was 10 years old. On 21 October about 7pm he had been in Chapel Street with Smith, Costin and his younger brother. He saw his younger brother go into Mrs Webb’s shop, and Smith said he had sent him in to ask how much the Guy Fawkes was. Smith told his brother to leave the door open so he could shove it open. His brother went in and then came out and left the door a little way open. Thomas Smith pulled off his shoes and went into Mrs Webb’s shop and took a piece of cheese and 3 faggots. When he came out Smith ran up a passage and his little brother brought Smith’s shoes. The faggots were made of meat. Smith ate half a faggot in the shop and half of one in the passage. Smith went down London Road and cut Costin, Caton and Caton’s younger brother a piece of cheese and had the rest for himself. PC James Haynes: he apprehended William Costin on 23 October and charged him in the presence of Smith. Costin said he had a piece of cheese and a piece of faggot but had not known it was stolen. Smith said Costin had gone into the shop and asked the price of Guy Fawkes’s and had left the door a little way open for Smith to go in and fetch the cheese and 3 faggots. Costin said he had not gone in. Smith said he had given Costin a piece of cheese and a piece of faggot when they had gone down London Road together. Statements of the accused: Thomas James Smith – not guilty William Costin – not guilty

item

Smith, Thomas James,
Webb, Mary Ann,
Caton, Charles,
Costin, William,
Haynes, James

LUTON, Luton Chapel Street, stealing, keeper, cheese