QSR1864/1/5/21-22

Depositions of James Rainsdale, printer of Luton. William Tofield, labourer of Luton. Edwin Lee, butcher of 93 Park Street, Luton. Eliza Lane, wife of Samuel, butcher of 114 Park Street, Luton. James Cookson, grocer of 113 Park Street, Luton. George Smith, police sergeant of Luton. In the case of William Flitton and James Goodge accused of obtaining 84 pound weight of paper by false pretences.

21 December 1863

From: 1863 To: 1864

James Rainsdale: a printer in partnership with Albert William Carter at Luton. On the evening of Tuesday 11 December the prisoners came to the shop in King Street, Luton. He had sold them some waste paper that afternoon. Goodge said they had sold more of the paper and if the boy went with them to see it weighed and then to the place, he could bring the money back as he had done before. Goodge held a bag. Rainsdale put into the bag what he supposed to be about a hundred weight and told them to go to Mr Alford’s to have it weighed and he would make it up to the hundred weight when they came back. They left the shop and he sent his lad, Tofield, with them to see it weighed. They did not come back. The boy came back and from what he was told he sent for Sergeant Smith. He went in Smith’s company in search of the paper. In passing down Cumberland Street he sae a bag containing some of the paper standing by the side of a brick wall. Sergeant Smith and he watched the bag and in minute or two later Flitton came and caught hold of the bag. They followed Flitton to Mr Lee’s, the butcher in Park Street, and there found Goodge and a bundle of paper. Mr Lee was just paying for his paper and he told him not to do so and it was his property. Smith took possession of the paper. The paper was worth 15 shillings as waste and had not been sold upon credit. William Tofield: he was 13 years of age and in the employment of Messrs Carter and Raisdale. On 11 December he went at the direction of Rainsdale with Flitton and Goodge to see the paper weighed. He went with them to Jennings & Gates and they ought to have gone to Alfords. The paper was weighed and there was 84 pounds of it. It was worth 15 shillings. A hundred weight was to be £1. After they came out of Jennings & Gates, Goodge told him to go back and tell his master there was only 84 pounds. He started to go back and Goodge followed him as far as George Street West. He looked down the street and Flitton went away with the paper on his back. He hallowed after Goodge and asked where Flitton was going with the paper. Goodge replied to the Kings Arms. He waited by the Kings Arms and soon after Goodge came up. He asked where Flitton was and Goodge told him he had gone to the Engine in Bute Street. He did not go to the Engine but followed Goodge who went into Mr Ward’s in Castle Street. Goodge then walked as far as the Dog public house but did not go in, as he turned down Langley Street. Goodge saw him. He went into the public house and saw Flitton there with the paper. He waited 10 minutes and then Goodge came in and went into the Tap Room to Flitton. He followed and said to them that he had to have the money for the paper. Goodge said “touch the paper if you dare or your master either”. He went and told his master and went with him and the sergeant to Mr Lee’s in Park Street. His master had let them have the paper on the condition that he brought back the money. The prisoners told him he was to have the money next morning when the paper had been sold. Edwin Lee: the prisoner came to his shop at 93 Park Street, Luton about 8pm on 11 December. They asked if he would buy the paper. He bought 27 pounds of it. He was to give 4s 6d and some meat for supper. Sergeant Smith and Mr Rainsdale came in just before he gave them the meat and just before he was going to pay them. From what he was told he did not pay them and gave the paper up to Smith. Eliza Lane: on the evening of 11 December the 2 prisoners came to the shop and asked if she would buy any paper. She said she didn’t want any. They went away. James Cookson: on the evening of 11 December the prisoner Flitton came into the shop and asked if he wanted to buy any paper. He did not buy any. Sergeant George Smith: he produced the paper he had from Mr Lee and 3 others. There were 64 pounds in weight. He charged the prisoners with obtaining the paper by false pretences. The prisoner said they had fairly bought the paper at £1 a cwt. Statements of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Flitton, William,
Goodge, James,
Rainsdale, James,
Tofield, William,
Lee, Edwin,
Lane, Eliza,
Lane, Samuel,
Cookson, James,
Smith, George

LUTON, Luton Park Street, paper, false pretences, printer, butcher, grocer, Luton Kings Arms, Chapel Street, Luton Dog