QSR1897/2/5/3

Depositions of Harry Mardle, William Bowes Stagg and William Kite. In the case of Arthur Champkins, accused of stealing a quantity of oil cloth.

13 March 1897

From: 1897 To: 1897

Harry Mardle: an assistant to Mr. William Wren. On 12th March from information received he went to Church Street, Luton, with Mr. Stagg. There he found the prisoner drunk with the stolen oil cloth under his arm. The prisoner had not purchased the oil to his knowledge. William Bowes Stagg: a general dealer of Luton. About 7.30pm on 12th March he was in front of his shop which is nearly opposite Mr. Wren’s shop. He saw the prisoner in front of Mr. Wren’s shop and witnessed him take the oil cloth, place it in his basket, and walk off in the direction of Church Street. He went after the prisoner and overtook him about half way down Church Street. He asked the prisoner what he had in his basket to which the prisoner made no reply. He than asked the prisoner to return to Mr. Wren’s shop with him. In his presence Mr. Mardle took the cloth out of the prisoner’s basket. William Kite: police sergeant of Luton. About 7.40pm on 12th March in consequence of information received he arrested the prisoner. He charged the prisoner with stealing a piece of oil cloth. The prisoner was drunk at the time of arrest. Arthur Champkins: nothing to say.

item

Mardle, Harry,
Wren, William,
Stagg, William Bowes,
Kite, William,
Champkins, Arthur

LUTON, stealing, cloth, police sergeant, dealer, drunkenness