QSR1899/4/5/1

Depositions of Frederick Austin of Grove Road, Luton; Edward Munday of 34 Wenlock Street Luton; Arthur Oscar Earl, Bicycle Machine Agent of Wellington Street Luton and William Kite of Luton Borough Police. In the case against George Frederick Brown accused of stealing a bicycle the property of Arthur Earl.

October 1899

From: 1899 To: 1899

Frederick Austin said: I reside at 4 Grove Rd Luton and I remember the 18th February last I was assist to Mr Earl. The prisoner came and hired a machine the one produced. Said he would bring it back on Monday or Tuesday. On Thursday he came to the works and said to me I shall keep the machine for the week. He was known to me. At the week end he did not bring it back. About a fortnight he came to me and said he would keep it for a month. I agreed to that. He did not bring it back at the end of the month and that is the last I saw of him. The machine when let to him was worth £9. [cross examined] I saw you later than the time I mentioned it was at the theatre. Cannot say if you said you would have the machine for the season you asked me to see Earl and I said I did not think I should see him I had then left Mr Earls service. Edward Munday of 34 Wenlock Street, Luton said: Have known prisoner some time. On February 9th he borrowed £2 of me and on February 1st he had borrowed £2 10shillings of my sister. Prisoner told me so. On the 22nd February I found him at his lodgings. He had given me a wrong address namely an office over Mr Plummers in Bute Street I found his proper address was 58 Dudley Street. I had some talk with him on the Hitchin Road and we went to Mr Brace to borrow it but he was in bed. He said if you are determined to have the money you can have my machine. He said it is mine I bought it last season for 28 guineas – I took the machine. About a fortnight after I went to the prisoner I said if you don’t pay me my money by Tuesday at 12 o’clock I shall sell the machine. He said I should do the same if I was in your place. On the Tuesday in question about 10 to 12 I received a note, produced marked “A”, from him saying would I let it stand over till 12 next day and he would bring the money. He did not bring the money. Eventually I sold it for £5. The machine produced is the one. [cross-examined] I did not receive any letter subsequent to the one marked “A”. You told me the machine was yours. Arthur Oscar Earl of Luton said: I am a bicycle machine agent in Luton. The machine produced is mine and at the time it was let out it was worth £10 worth as now about £8. It is a racer. Don’t know the prisoner. I have never sold the machine produced to any person. [cross examined] I received from you the letters produced marked “B” and “C”. [re examined] The letter marked “C” was delivered by a little boy. I wrote in reply saying I would not sell the machine but prisoner never had it as I found it was at his office 9 John Street and had not been called for by prisoner – He has never called or seen me since. I put the matter in the hands of the Police. Wiliam Kite of Luton said: I am a Sergt of Boro’ Police force – I arrested prisoner in Castle Street Luton on the 14th inst. Read warrant to him and he replied I hired it for the season. I made enquiries about the address 9 John Street Luton and found that he had taken a room there for an office but had never been near. There were letters there waiting for him. He should have entered our possession 5 weeks last Saturday. statement of the accused: "Not Guilty" "I reserve my defence" Letter marked "A": "Dear Sir, Don't settle our business until tomorrow. I am going up to London today and will see you tomorrow before 12 o'clock. I shall be very much obliged to you for this favour. Yours truly G F Brown" Letter marked "B": "9 John Street Luton. March 12/99. Dear Sirs, I will call and see you tomorrow morning respecting machine I have and try to buy if you will sell. Yours truly G F Brown" Letter marked "C": "9 John Street Luton. Mch 27/99. Gentlemen, Kindly let me have the lowest possible price you can take for yur machine with bill for hire and I will either return the machine with cash or buy. Yours truly Geo F Brown. To Messrs Earl & Co, Wellington Road"

13 pages

item

Brown, George Frederick,
Austin, Frederick,
Munday, Edward,
Earl, Arthur Oscar,
Kite, William

Luton Grove Road, Luton Wenlock Street, Luton Wellington Street, bicycle machine agent, stealing, bicycles