QSR1893/3/5/3a

Depositions of William Lee Gates a Grocer and Ironmonger of George Street Luton; Edward William Puncker of 13 /14 Basinghall Street London, a Clerk to London Provident Bank; William Chamberlain, Detective Sergent of the Borough of Luton Police Force. In the case of Alfred George Lucas accused of unlawfully obtain by means of a certain false pretences the sum of six pounds from the said William Lee Gates with thereby to cheat and defraud him of the same.

3rd May 1893

From: 1893 To: 1893

Deposition of William Lee Gates on his Oath saith as follows I am a grocer and ironmonger living in George Street Luton, on the afternoon of 11th July 1889 Prisoner came to my shop, I knew him as a customer in the shop, I knew he was employed in the town. He asked me to oblige him with change for a ten pound cheque (produced marked A*) I was short of cash and gave him £5.2.0 on a/c credited 18/- for goods in exchange or the cheque. It was early closing day. From what I heard next day I did not advance the remainder I have never seen him again till Wednesday last. Deposition of Edward Veneer William Puncker of 13 & 14 Basinghall Street London. I am a clerk in the employ of Mr. Pannell the liquidator of the London Provident Bank. The books are in Mr Pannell’s custody. I produce the ledgers showing an account with A. G. Lucas. The a/c shows an over draft of 4/10. Last cheque drawn 28th Sept. 1888 £2.0.0. It is drawn to “self” I have no personal knowledge of the a/c. there is not to my knowledge any other person named A. G. Lucas having an account with The London Provident. The A/c in the book commences Sept. 15th 1887. His total dealings during the period was £87 odd. Deposition of Detective Sergeant William Chamberlain of the Luton Borough Police Force on his oath saith about the date of the issue of these cheques I made enquiries about Prisoner. I found he had left his situation a few days previous to issuing of them. He was traced to London and was there lost sight of. About October 1892 I heard he was back again in London. On April 22nd 1893 I received him in custody on the warrant produced (B) dated August 2nd 1889. I apprehended him at Reading I read the Warrant to him. He said “I thought I had money there” [Cross examined] he had left his situation some few days before he issued the cheques. Statement from Accused: I thought I had money at the Bank *A - Original Cheque for £10 with file. Notes on back of cheque ‘This is the cheque referred to as a production in the evidence of William Lee Gates against Alfred George Lucas as marked as with letter as above taken 3rd May 1893

8 pages

item

Gates, William Lee,
Puncker, Edward William,
Chamberlain, William,
Lucas, Alfred George,
Gates, William Lee

Luton George Street, City of London Basinghall Street, police, grocer, ironmonger, clerk, fraud