QSR1869/1/5/23-24

Depositions of George Bates, miller of Luton. George Dyer, miller of Luton. Jane Bates, spinster of Luton. Albert North, a minor of Hockcliffe. George James, Inspector of Police of Luton. William Charles Neville, police constable of Luton. In the case of William Perry and Henry North accused of stealing a quantity of split beans.

28 December 1868

From: 1868 To: 1869

George Bates: he was a miller and corn merchant at Luton and occupied some premises which opened into Church Street where he had a stable and some storehouses. He knew the prisoner Perry as he had been in his employment as a carman for about 4 years up to 18 December. On 16 December he went into his stable and found a bushel of split beans in a sack under the manager. The sack bore the name ‘G.Bates’. The beans in the sack were his and they were French beans not of English growth. He went with Inspector James to the stable again after the prisoner had left work. The sack and beans had been removed to a corn bin where Perry kept his horse corn. He marked the sack and mixed in some balck and white oats, some chaff and some maize and left the sack in the same place. Next morning he found the beans had been put back under the manger and the sack was covered in straw. That afternoon the prisoner made a delivery to Mr Turvey at Hockcliffe and returned late at night. Early next morning he went to the barn and found the empty sack which he had marked. He gave the sack to Dyer the foreman. On 18 December Inspector James showed him a quantity of spilt beans at the police station. They contained some black and white oats and a few bits of chaff. They corresponded with the mixture he had put in the sack in the stable. At Luton Court house on 21 December the prisoner, Perry, sent for him and said he wanted to see him. He went to Perry’s cell and Perry told him he was very sorry and that it was the first time he had done such a thing and he hoped he would go as easy on him as he could. Perry said he had left the corn at North’s house at Hockcliffe but hadn’t seen North. The beans were worth 5 shillings. Perry said that North had said eh could do with a few beans. George Dyer: he was a miller and worked for Mr Bates at his mill on the premises in Church Street, Luton. On 17 December he saw a sack with about a bushel and half of split beans under the manger in the stable. He watched it and saw it several times until about 1.05pm. The prisoner started about 1.45pm with 2 horses and a van to taker a load of Randam to Hockcliffe. As soon as he had gone he went to the stable and missed the sack. The prisoner had his horse corn served at night and when he went on journey he would have half a peck to feed them on the road. He gave Perry a peck of split French beans before he left. He did not give him any oats or chaff. Jane Bates: daughter of George Bates and she lived with her father at the shop in Park Square, Luton not far from the mill. On 17 December the prisoner, Perry, came to the shop and asked for some corn. She gave him 2 half pecks of split beans, maize and oats mixed. He took it away in a sack. Albert North: he was 14 years and son of Henry North, the defendant. He lived with his father at the Bell, Hockcliffe. He knew Perry. Perry called at his father’s house on 17 December and he had a van and 2 horses with him. He heard the vans top and took a candle and went to see who it was. He saw Perry and Perry said he had some beans and asked where to put them. He showed him to put them in a bin upstairs. The beans were in a sack and were emptied and the sack taken back to the van. Perry was given a pint of beer by his mother and he let him have a penny worth of tobacco. Perry did not pay for them and said he would pay when he came in again. The police came the next day and took away the beans. He went with the police to Luton and saw Perry. He had seen Perry twice in the last 3 months. His mother had not asked Perry for money for the beer. His father bought beans for his horses from Mr Roberts. His father had ordered some corn and Perry came from the direction of Robert’s house. His father was not at home. Perry did not ask for his father. He did not tell his father about the beans that day or the next. He knew Perry worked for Mr Bates as he had seen it on the wagon. Inspector George James: on 18 December he went with Mr Bates to the prisoner Perry. He asked Perry what he had done with the beans but Perry said he hadn’t had any. He told Perry he was referring to those in the sack under the manger and Perry said he had fed some to his horses and taken the others back for supper that night. Mr Bates gave him into custody. The same day he went to Hockcliffe with PC Neville to the Bell kept by North. He searched the stables and out buildings and found the bean mixture in a bin in the loft. He knew the beans to be Mr Bates and had been present when the mixture was made. Mrs North was present when the beans were found and she called Albert North. He took Albert North to Luton with him and saw Perry at the station. North identified him as the man who brought the beans. Perry said he had taken them but had never taken any beans before and it was the first and last time. He was present when a conversation took placed between Bates and Perry. Perry said to Bates that he was very sorry for what had happened and it was the first and last time and he hoped he would be easy on him. Perry said all he had for the beans was a pint of beer. PC William Charles Neville: on 17 December he watched the prisoner at Dunstable on his way to and from Hockcliffe. He saw the prisoner stop at the George in Dunstable and searched the van. He only found the horses empty nose bags and some empty sacks. He was with inspector James when the bean mixture was found at North’s house, the Bell at Hockcliffe. Statements of the accused: Perry – “I am guilty” North – he had nothing to say.

item

Perry, William,
North, Henry,
Bates, George,
Dyer, George,
Bates, Jane,
North, Albert,
James, George,
Neville, William Charles

LUTON, miller, stealing, beans, Luton Church Street, Hockcliffe, Hockliffe Bell