QSR1866/1/5/14a

Depositions of Edward Roe, grocer of Luton. George Smith, sergeant of police of Luton. William Robinson Raban, silversmith of Luton. In the case of John Harris accused of uttering a false and counterfeit coin resembling a Half Crown.

4 December 1865

From: 1865 To: 1866

Edward Roe: a grocer living at 16 Hitchin Road, Luton. On the night of Wednesday 15 November the prisoner came to his shop asking for half an ounce of tobacco. He served the prisoner and was given a half crown piece in payment. He gave the prisoner 2 shillings and 4 ½ d in coppers. As the prisoner left he suspected the half crown was a bad one and weighed it against a good one. He found it to be light and went after the prisoner. He had the coin in his hand until Sergeant Smith marked it and gave it to him. He saw the prisoner in custody that night and knew it to be the same man which had given him the half crown. Sergeant George Smith: he produced a half crown piece which he received from Mr. Roe on 15 November. The same night he had the prisoner in custody and charged him with passing the bad coin at Mr Roe’s. The prisoner said he knew nothing about it and had no bad money upon him. William Robinson Raban: he was a silversmith and jeweller. He had tested the half crown and found it to be counterfeit. Statement of the accused: nothing.

item

Harris, John,
Roe, Edward,
Smith, George,
Raban, William Robinson

LUTON, Luton Hitchin Road, passing counterfeit coin, grocers, silversmiths