QSR1892/1/5/3a

Depositions of Bessie Armour of 11 Rose Terrace, Biggleswade and Charles Cheshire Police Sergeant of Shefford. In the case of Arthur Beddoe alias Horace Bosworth alias Arthur Blanchard who is charged this day before us for that the said Arthur Beddoe on the 20th day of November One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety One feloniously did steal one gold chain one silver locket two gold wedding rings – 2 brooches one plated locket – one gold pin – one tape measure and twelve shillings in money together of the values of £4.4.0 the monies goods and chattels of one Bessie Armour.

16th December 1891

From: 1891 To: 1892

Depositions of Bessie Armour of 11 Rose Terrace, Biggleswade and Charles Cheshire of Shefford Police Sergeant. In the case of Arthur Beddoe alias Horace Bosworth alias Arthur Blanchard who is charged this day before us for that the said Arthur Beddoe on the 20th day of November One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety One feloniously did steal one gold chain one silver locket two gold wedding rings – 2 brooches one plated locket – one gold pin – one tape measure and twelve shillings in money together of the values of £4.4.0 the monies goods and chattels of on e Bessie. This Deponent Bessie Armour on her Oath I am the wife of William Armour late of Shefford and by Order of Judicial Separation am now separated from my husband and live at No. 11 Rose Terrace, Biggleswade. On the 18th day of November 1891 about 5p.m. the prisoner called and asked for lodgings stating he was a Telegraph Clerk at the Station. I asked him in – he then said “I shall want lodgings until about the 21st March next I shall be on duty one week at nights and one at day. I have just come from Newark and lodged with a sister” I said “Have you had tea” he replied “no” he then had some with us and remained in the House that night and had my front bedroom to himself. On the following morning the 19th Nov. he got up a little after 8 and had breakfast then said he would like to board himself – he came home a little after 12 and had dinner – he left again about 1p.m. and returned about 5.30 and had tea – he remained in all the evening and went to bed about 10p.m.and came down the following morning the 20th Nov. about 8.20 a.m. and appeared in a hurry – he had breakfast and then left after ordering his dinner – I did not see him again after as he did not come house to dinner – I went up into his bedroom and opened the drawers and found my wearing apparel upset – I kept a little box in them containing 1 lady’s gold chain, 1 gold dress ring with stone missing, 1 silver locket, 1 silver brooch with gilt flowers, a gentleman’s pen – and one plain silver brooch all of which were missing from a box on the dressing table [containing] 2 gold wedding rings – a plated locket – ornamented with a horse shoe containing photos – 1 tape measure had been taken. One half sovereign and 2/- in coppers were missing from a money box in the bottom drawers. The prisoner was the only person who had access to the room whatever I had no other person in the house but my 4 little chicken – I saw all all the things in the room before he went to bed the second night – As far as I recollect he gave the name of Arthur Blanchard. - The jewellery produced is my property and I value it at £4.4.0 On Wednesday 9th December I went to Shefford and saw the prisoner in custody I at once identified him as the person who lodged in my house. I had seen all the articles safe in the bedroom on the 19th that is the day before he left. This Deponent Charles Cheshire on his Oath said:- I am a Police Sergeant stationed at Shefford. On Wednesday 9th Dec. last about 4.30 p.m. I went to a house in Bridge St. Shefford occupied by Martha Ansell where I saw the prisoner and said to him what business do you follow, he replied “I am in the Electro plate trade” I said “ where are your goods” he showed me a small parcel containing 6 forks 6 desert and 6 tea spoons (electro plated) all new – I took the Police Gazette from my pocket dated 27th Nov. 1891 and read to the prisoner a description of a man wanted for stealing a number of articles of jewellery at Biggleswade on 20th Nov. last – I said “You certainly answer the description and I shall detain you until I have made further enquires – I sent to Biggleswade for Mrs Armour the Prosecutrix who came to Shefford about 7p.m. and identified the prisoner as the person who had stolen her jewellery I searched the prisoner and found in his possession the property produced viz: 1 lady’s gold chain 1 gold dress ring, 1 silver locket, 2 gold wedding rings, 2 silver brooches, 1 pen, 1 plated locket and 1 tape measure and other property. Statement of Accused I don’t wish to say anything.

6 pages

item

Armour, Bessie,
Cheshire, Charles,
Beddoe, Arthur,
Bosworth, Horace,
Blanchard, Arthur

SHEFFORD, BIGGLESWADE, clerk, police sergeant, lodging house keeper, stealing