QSR1898/2/5/1a

Depositions of George Dawson, William Walker Market Place Ampthill, Boot Seller; and Henry William Skinner, Ampthill, Police Constable. In the case of William Smith, accused of stealing a pair of boots.

17 February 1898

From: 1898 To: 1898

George Dawson: a labourer of Ampthill. On 28th January he was in the market place in Ampthill about 5pm. He saw the prisoner near Mr. Walker’s shop. He then saw the prisoner take a pair of boots which were hanging outside the shop door and put them under his coat. The prisoner then walked up Dunstable Street. He went and told Mr. Walker and then went after the prisoner. He overtook the prisoner and brought him back with the boots. William Walker: boot seller in the market place, Ampthill. On Friday 28th January he had some boots hanging outside of his shop at about 5pm. From what he was told by Mr. Dawson he went after the prisoner up Dunstable Street. He overtook the prisoner and asked him if he had something belonging to him. The prisoner said that he did not. He noticed that the prisoner’s coat looked bulky and he pulled it open to find a pair of boots under the prisoner’s arm. The boots were his property and he accused the prisoner of stealing them from his shop. He brought the prisoner back to the shop and asked him why he had taken the boots. The prisoner replied that he wanted a pair badly and they looked about the right size so he took them as he passed. He took possession of the boots and let the prisoner go. He asked the prisoner for his name and the prisoner replied that he come without one that day. He afterwards gave the boots to PC Skinner. Henry William Skinner: police constable stationed at Ampthill. On 28th January about 5.15pm from information received he went after the prisoner. He found the prisoner in Dunstable Street and apprehended him there. William Smith: Nothing to say.

7 pages

item

Dawson, George,
Walker, William,
Skinner, Henry William,
Smith, William

AMPTHILL, Ampthill Market Place, stealing, boots, boot salesman, labourer, police constable