QSR1866/2/5/5

Depositions of David Bowers, straw hat manufacturer of Luton. John Moss, innkeeper of Luton. Samuel Brace, police constable of Luton. In the case of Hezekiah Odell accused of stealing 2 sheets, the value of 4 shillings.

2 April 1866

From: 1866 To: 1866

David Bowers: he knew the prisoner. On Tuesday 13 March, about 5.30pm, he saw the prisoner in the yard of the Eagle public house. There were some clothes hanging out in the yard on a wire line which was fixed to his back door. He went out of his back door and saw the line swinging violently up and down. He looked over the wall and saw the prisoner taking some sheets off the line. The prisoner had put them under his arm and was going of the yard with them. He went out of his back way and into the back door of the Eagle. He took Mr Moss, the landlord, and pointed out the prisoner as he turned into Stuart Street. Mr Moss went after him and he returned to get his hat and then went after them. He met Mr Moss coming back with the prisoner and the things. He went back home. It was light. John Moss: he kept the Eagle public house in Luton. On 13 March, from what he was told by Mr Bowers, he went after the prisoner. He overtook the prisoner by the new church in Stuart Street. The prisoner had 2 sheets under his arm. They were his property and worth 4 shillings. The sheets had been hanging on a line in his yard. He took the prisoner to the police station and left him there. He gave the sheets up to PC Brace. PC Samuel Brace: he was in charge of the police station on the afternoon of 13 March. The prisoner was brought in and given into his custody by Mr Moss. Mr Moss also gave him the sheets. He charged the prisoner. The prisoner was drunk. Statement of the accused: nothing.

item

Odell, Hezekiah,
Bowers, David,
Moss, John,
Brace, Samuel

LUTON, Luton Stuart Street, stealing, household linen, straw hat manufacturer, innkeeper, Luton Eagle