QSR1864/3/5/2

Depositions of Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bush, boot and shoe maker of Luton. John Pratt, publican of Luton. William Dumpleton, blocker of Luton. Joseph Wright, beerhouse keeper of Luton. James Haynes, police constable of Luton. In the case of Henry Johnston accused of stealing 2 pairs of shoes, the value of £1 4s 0d.

2 May 1864

From: 1864 To: 1864

Elizabeth Bush: wife of Joseph Bush of no.2 Upper Bute Street, Luton. On 12 June 1863 she hung some boots outside the shop. They were safe at 9am and she missed the about 2.30pm. She advised the police. On 18 June, PC Haynes showed her some bots ad she identified them as the same pair she missed. There were 2 pairs and they were worth 24 shillings. John Pratt: keeper of the Robin Hood public house in Albert Road, Luton. On 12 June 1863 the prisoner came into the house with a pair of boots. The prisoner asked him to buy them. He did not but lent the prisoner 5 shillings on them. The prisoner said he would fetch them in the evening or the next day. Next day the prisoner came with William Dumpleton and Dumpleton gave him 5 shillings. He gave him the boots ad the men went away together. William Dumpleton: a blocker living at 33 Duke Street, Luton. On 13 June 1863 he was at Peach’s beerhouse in New Town. He saw the prisoner who said he had a pair of boots to sell and he asked him where they were. He was told they were at Pratt’s and he had some money on them. He was asked by the prisoner to buy with him so he could show him them. He bought the boots and gave 6 shillings and a quart of beer for them. He sold the boots the same day at the Red Cap to Mr Joseph Wright for 8s 6d. Joseph Wright: he kept the Prince Albert beerhouse in New Town Street in Luton. He bought the boots from Dumpleton at the Red Cap beerhouse on 13 June 1863. He gave 8s 6d for them and wore them for 2 or 3 days and then gave them to PC Haynes. PC James Haynes: he apprehended the prisoner on his discharge from Northampton gaol on Wednesday 20 April 1864 and charged him with stealing the boots. The prisoner said he knew nothing about them. He received the boots from Joseph Wright on 18 June 1863. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Johnston, Henry,
Bush, Elizabeth,
Bush, Joseph,
Pratt, John,
Dumpleton, William,
Wright, Joseph,
Haynes, James

LUTON, stealing, shoes, bootmaker, shoemaker, blocker, beerhouse keeper, Luton Robin Hood, Luton Duke Street, Luton Bute Street, beerhouses