QSR1866/1/5/5b,8b

Depositions of John Robert Brown, builder of Luton. James Smart, bricklayer of Luton. Samuel Elston, blocker of Luton. Thomas Nash, marine store dealer of Luton. George Smith, police sergeant of Luton. In the case of William Smith and Thomas Sanders accused of stealing 33 roofing slates, the value of 6 shillings.

20 November 1865

From: 1865 To: 1866

John Robert Brown: a builder of Guildford Street, Luton. From information received on 14 November he went to the police station and saw a quantity of roofing slates. He examined them and found them very similar to some he had in his possession. He picked out 33 which he believed to be his as they were the same quality and size as some at the building in Church Street, Luton. They were worth 6 shillings. James Smart: he was a bricklayer working for Mr John Robert Brown. He had been working on some new building in Church Street. He had a quantity of slates there ready for roofing. On 14 November he went to the police station and saw a quantity of slates there. He saw a number which he had no doubt were his master’s property. He had prepared some of them for the roofing in Church Street. The holes in the slate corresponded with the gauge he worked by and fitted the hammer. Samuel Elston: he knew the prisoner, Smith. He occasionally bought slates from him. He last bought slates from him on 9 November when the prisoner came to him and said he was going to clear out his barn and would bring over the remainder of the slate. The prisoner called again that evening with some more slates. The prisoner took them to the cellar and placed them with the others. The prisoner made 3 or 4 journeys at about 3 or 4 minute intervals. The prisoner said there were about 100 slates. He advance the prisoner 7 shillings on them and said he would see if someone knew the value of them and if it was not enough, then he would make it right. The prisoner assured him they were his. Thomas Nash: on the night of 9 November he saw the 2 prisoners come out of Mr Brown’s new building in Church Street with an armful of slates under their coats. He followed them up Hitchin Road and saw them take the slates to Mr Elston. He stood against the Old English Gentleman public house until they came out and went and fetched another lot. When they came out of Elston’s Smith told Sanders there were 33 of them and he had got 1s 4 ½ d for them. They then went to Amos Cox’s beerhouse. Sergeant George Smith: he went to Samuel Elston’s on 11 November and he was given 33 slates. On 14 November Mr Brown and his man, Smart, brought some slates from the new building in Church Street and compared them with the 33 slates. They corresponded. On 16 November the 2 prisoners were in custody on another charge. He charged them with stealing the 33 slates and selling them to Samuel Elston. Smith said he had sold slates to Elston but he had bought them from a man whose name he did not know. Sanders said he had not stolen them and knew nothing about them. Statementsof the accused: nothing to say.

item

Smith, William,
Sanders, Thomas,
Brown, John Robert,
Smart, James,
Elston, Samuel,
Nash, Thomas,
Smith, George

LUTON, bricklayer, stealing, blocker, marine store dealer, Luton Church Street, Luton Old English Gentleman