QSR1868/1/5/10

Depositions of George Taylor, grocer's assistant of Luton. Thomas Hamilton, bookseller's agent of Luton. George Case, police constable of Luton. In the case of William Wilshere accused of stealing a ham, the value of 10s 6d.

2 December 1867

From: 1867 To: 1868

George Taylor: he was assistant to Mr Charles Chapman, grocer of Luton. He was behind the counter in his master’s shop between 6pm and 7pm in the evening on 23 November 1867. He saw someone come and take a ham from the shop door about 15 feet from him. He went after him directly and then saw it was the prisoner. He caught him about 100 yards from the shop on the other side of the way. The ham was under his right arm. He put his hand on the prisoner’s shoulder and asked what he had. The prisoner said to take him hat off and see. He told the prisoner he had his master’s ham and he took it from him. He dropped the ham near the prisoner’s feet. The ham was worth 10s 6d and he knew it by the string to hang it by. He tried to take him back but the prisoner struck him 3 times on the face. Mr Hamilton and Mr Wilson, the butcher, helped him to take the prisoner back to the shop. PC Case came and his master gave the prisoner into his custody. He gave the ham to Mr Chapman and he saw him give it to PC Case. Thomas Hamilton: an agent to Messrs Smith & Sons, booksellers at the Great Northern Railway station at Luton. He was in Park Square, Luton between 6pm and 7pm on 23 November 1867. He saw the prisoner struggling with Taylor, the last witness. Taylor had hold of the prisoner and said the prisoner had stolen a ham. He saw the ham on the ground at the prisoner’s feet. He went back to Mr Chapman’s shop with Wilson and Taylor and he left the prisoner there with them. PC George Case: he was in Park Square on Saturday 23 November and from information received went to Mr Chapman the grocer’s there. He found the prisoner there with Mr Chapman and Taylor. The prisoner was given into his custody on the charge of stealing the ham. He took him to the police station. The prisoner said he had not stolen it. Statement of the accused: he had not got the ham when Taylor came to him. Taylor caught hold and pulled him down. He got up and asked Taylor what he meant by it and hit him. Taylor said he’d been stealing ham which he had. He told Taylor he had not and hit him again. Taylor said he had to go along with him and he refused. Taylor called for help and they took him to the shop and gave him up on the charge.

item

Wishere, William,
Taylor, George,
Hamilton, Thomas,
Case, George,
Chapman, Charles

LUTON, Luton Park Square, stealing, ham, bookseller, grocer's assistant