QSR1868/4/5/8

Depositions of Eliza Harris, wife of Edward labourer of Luton. Joseph Wright, police constable of Luton. In the case of Matilda Cotton accused of stealing a purse containing 5s 6d from the person.

28 September 1868

From: 1868 To: 1868

Eliza Harris: wife of Edward Harris of Dallow Lane in Luton. On the night of Saturday 26 September she had been at the fair Luton looking at a steam roundabout on Market Hill. She had some money in a purse in her pocket. She put her little girl onto the roundabout to have a ride. She went to take her out and felt a hand in her pocket. There was no one by her put the prisoner. She felt for her purse and it had gone. It contained 5s 6d. As soon as she missed it she charged the prisoner. The prisoner went into the crowd and then came back and said that she did not have it. She gave the prisoner into custody. PC Joseph Wright: on the night of Saturday 26 September the prisoner was given into his custody on the Market Hill. The prisoner said she had not stolen anything and was quite innocent. The prisoner was searched and nothing was found on her. Statement of the accused: nothing.

item

Cotton, Matilda,
Wright, Joseph,
Harris, Eliza,
Harris, Edward

LUTON, stealing, pickpocket, fairs, Luton Market Hill