QSR1867/3/5/17a

Depositions of John Groom, labourer of Luton. Thomas Bunce, apprentice of Luton. James Haynes, police constable of Luton. In the case of Asher Felks accused of stealing a handkerchief from the person.

17 June 1867

From: 1867 To: 1867

John Groom: he was 16 years old and was a labourer. He lived with his father in York Street, Luton. He was going down Burr Street at 10pm on Saturday 1 June and he passed the prisoner who he knew well. The prisoner called him back just as he’d passed him and asked him if his mother was going to pull him up for what he said to her. He told the prisoner he knew nothing about it and the prisoner put his right arm about his neck and held him tight. The prisoner tried to put his hand on Groom’s left waistcoat pocket where he had 2 half crowns and a shilling. Groom scuffled and stepped back so the prisoner could not get his hand into the pocket. The prisoner put his hand to Groom’s breast pocket and took out his white cotton handkerchief. The prisoner put it up the sleeve of his coat and let Groom go. Groom went up Burr Street and told the prisoner he would fetch a policeman. The prisoner said he did not have the handkerchief. Groom informed the police. He saw his handkerchief at the police station. It had identifiable marks on it. The prisoner had been sober. The prisoner said to PC Haynes, in his presence, that he had bought the handkerchief from Strange. Thomas Bunce: he was an apprentice to Mr Strange, a draper at Luton. He sold a white handkerchief to the prisoner on 11 June. The one produced was like the one he had sold the prisoner but was not the one he had sold him. PC James Haynes: the prisoner was in custody on another charge on Wednesday 12 June. He then charged the prisoner with stealing a white pocket handkerchief from the person on John Groom. The prisoner said he had not touched Groom and he had bought the handkerchief off Strange. Groom identified the handkerchief. Statement of the accused: he was not guilty.

item

Felks, Asher,
Groom, John,
Bunce, Thomas,
Haynes, James,
Strange

LUTON, Luton Burr Street, stealing, handkerchief, apprenticeship, draper, Luton York Street