QSR1898/4/5/3

The Examinations of William Haskins, Leighton Buzzard, Cycle Dealer; Cecil Cleal, Assistant Haskins Cycle shop; George Wilson, Detective of the T Division Metropolitan Police Staines; Thomas Woods, Police Sergeant Leighton Buzzard. Depositions of Witnesses called by the Accused: Joseph Woods Part Proprietor of The Fountain Leighton Buzzard; Henry Lane, London Road North Feltham, Commercial Traveller; Eliza Marian Buckingham, Domestic Servant at Fountain Hotel Leighton Buzzard; Rueben Appleton of Feltham, Landlord of the Railway Tavern Feltham. In the case of Frederick Lane, 4 North Feltham Place Feltham Middlesex accused of stealing a bicycle.

24th June 1898

From: 1898 To: 1898

The said William Haskins being sworn saith: - I am a Cycle Dealer and live at Leighton Buzzard. I am assisted in that business by Cecil Cleal. On the 22nd or 23rd June the Defendant came to my shop and asked me for a washer for his bicycle. I sold it to him and he left. He came again on the 24th June. He brought his bicycle with him and asked to have it repaired. He was a stranger to me. I did not know his name on where he lived. I examined his machine and undertook the repair. It was arranged that he should call for his bicycle in the evening. It was between 12 and 1 o’clock when he came with his bicycle and the repairs were such that I could complete them by the evening. He asked me if he could have another machine while the repairs were being done. I said I would let him one. I then left the matter in Cleals hands and attended to other customers. The Defendant did not come in the evening and hearing nothing from him I placed the matter in the hands of the Police on the 29th June. The value of my machine which the Defendant took was £9. The value of the Defendants machine when reframed was £5 to £6. On the 6th July from what I heard I went to Bedfont in Middlesex. I there saw my machine at the Police Station. I also saw the Defendant there too. Next day the cost of the repairs to Defendants machine 2/- was paid to me by Defendant’s brother the defendant being present and I gave up the machine. My machine is known as “The Leyton Cross” and I am the manufacturer. Each machine bears my name and address and trade mark. My machine on the 6th July was practically in as good a condition as when it left my shop. The trade mark had not been obliterated. [Cross examined] The Deposition produced ** is my Deposition taken on the remand. The Deposition states that I said I “lent” the machine. The word I used was “let” I did not notice the difference when it was read over to me. Foot rests and cyclometer had been fixed to the machine since it left my shop. I did not see Defendant bicycle when he came for the washer. During the week of the 24th June I saw two machines in a stable near the Fountain Hotel. I went there to sell a bicycle to Mr Wood the Proprietor. I did not know whom the machines belonged to. I did not hear what conversation took place between Cleal and the Defendant. I did not ask the Defendant his name I expected Cleal to do so. I expected the address to be taken as well. I was only in conversation with the Defendant two or three minutes. Defendant said he wanted my machine for an hour or two. I tried to find the Defendants address from Mr Wood. He said he thought he came from Feltham. Wood told me he did not know his name. **Deposition produced: - William Haskins on his oath. I live a Leighton Buzzard and am a dealer in cycles. On the 24th June defendant called on me. He brought a machine to be repaired which I undertook. While the repairs were being executed lent him on hire my machine. He wanted to go somewhere on it. He said he should be gone away an hour. He went away with it. I have not seen him since until yesterday. The 6th I saw him at Bedfont Police Court. I saw my cycle there also. I am sure the defendant is the man who took away my machine I also am sure that the machine I saw at Bedfont was mine. I informed the police a few days afterwards. The defendant came to my shop on the 23rd and bought a small article. Note on bottom of statement; - Bail £20 defendant, Alfred Lane, 4 Cardinal Villas Hansworth Road, Feltham Middlesex, Watchmaker. The said Cecil Cleal sworn saith I am an Assistant in Mr Haskins Shop at Leighton Buzzard and I live there. I saw the Defendant first on the 21st June. He came to the shop to be shaved. I saw him again on the 22nd 23rd and again on the 24th. On the 24th he left his bicycle for repairs. That was between 12 and 1 o’clock. He told me he should want it that night or the first thing the following morning. It was agreed that the work should be done that evening. He told me that Mr Haskins had promised to lend him a machine while the repairs were being done. I got a machine out for him a Humber - I asked him if he liked flat handle bars – He said he did not. I said you had better let us sell you a new one and we will take yours in exchange. He said he did not want a very expensive one not one about 15 or 16 guineas but he wanted a good one about 12 guineas. I told him we had got one at 12 guineas when new. I then I then got out the machine produced. I told him he might as well try that as that was about the price. I got the machine ready for him. I put the mud guards off his machine on to it. He then said be sure and get the repairs done tonight or the first thing in the morning. When we let machines on hire we have duplicate tickets one of which is given to the hirer and the other retained. Defendant then left with the machine. I accepted his statement of what Mr Haskins had said to him. [Cross examined] I did not give a ticket to the Defendant with the machine because he said that Mr Haskins has promised to lend him one while the repairs were being done. I did not use the words [chop] or exchange in speaking to the Defendant nor did I say Try the machine and see if it will suit you. What I said was you may as well try this machine as it is about the price you want. I don’t remember his saying I don’t mind is answer to that. He asked what price we should want for it. I told him I could not say I left that to Mr Haskins. I did not say anything to the Defendant as to the time he was to have our machine to try it in. I think the Defendant told me he was staying at the Fountains either on the 22nd or the 23rd June whichever day it was he came in. I don’t know whether I told my Master I don’t recollect doing so. The repairs to Defendants machine took about 11/2 hours. The account produced is the account of the repairs and the ***receipt for the 2/- The money was paid on the 7th July Defendant had been bailed out. [***Original receipt in enclosed in file] The said George Wilson sworn saith I am a Detective of the T Division of the Metropolitan police and am stationed at Staines. On the 1st July I received information in this matter from Leighton Buzzard Police. I made enquiries and on the 5th at 8.30 pm I was at the Railway Tavern in Feltham when I noticed three bicycles in the Railway Tavern Bagatelle Room. I examined them – One of the bicycles was the one produced. I then went to London Road North Feltham and concealed myself. About 11.50 I saw the Defendant approach on his bicycle and dismounted in the road. I stopped him and asked his name. He said Lane I said Do you know me. He said No I said I am a Police Officer. I said to him whose bicycle is that. He said mine. I said where did you get it from. He said Bedford I said How did you get it. He said I exchanged mine for it. I said to him I don’t believe your statement. I shall take you into custody for stealing the bicycle on the 24th of last month at Leighton Buzzard and you will have to go with me to Bedfont Police Station. He started with me and the bicycle to the station, on the way He said No I did not exchange my machine I left it to be repaired. When we got to the station I told him I had a letter from the Superintendant of Police stating that he had hired it only for a few hours. I read the letter to him. He said no a few days and I left my name and address on my card and they know where I live. The Police at Leighton were communicated with and he was delivered into there custody. [Cross Examined] I went to the Railway Tavern at Feltham to make enquiries about a Diamond Ring. The Room in which the bicycles were was on the ground floor. I did not caution the Defendant before questioning him. He did not say that machine had been lent to him. I know nothing against the Defendants’ character. The said Thomas Woods sworn saith I am a Police Sergeant stationed at Leighton Buzzard. On the 29th June from information received I communicated with the Metropolitan Police in the name of my Superintendant. On the 6th July from a telegram received from the Police at Bedfont I went to the station there with Mr Haskins. I found the Defendant in custody at the station and the bicycle which I now produce. I told the Defendant that I was a Police Sergeant at Leighton Buzzard and that he was charged with stealing a bicycle from there on 24th June. He said that I deny I brought him and the bicycle to Leighton. [Cross examined] I was not present on the remand of the Defendant. I had made enquiries at the Fountain Hotel when Defendant had stayed. Miss Wood informed me that during conversation she had been told the Defendant came from Feltham. She said She did not know his name. I also enquired of the Manager but he could not give me any information. I ascertained that he had stayed at the Fountain on two occasions previously. Statement of accused: I plead not guilty. And immediately after obeying the directions of the 18th Section of the Act Eleventh and Twelfth Victoria, Chapter Forty-two the said Justices of the Peace, did demand and require of the said Frederick Lane whether he desired to call any Witness; and thereupon, in answer to such demand, the said Frederick Lane called; - as Witnesses and the said Justices of the Peace, thereupon in the presence of the said Frederick Lane took the following statements on Oath of Joseph Wood, Henry Lane, Eliza Miriam Buckingham and Reuben Appleton who were so called as Witnesses by the said Frederick Lane as aforesaid, and who knew anything relating to the facts and circumstances of the case, or anything tending to prove the Innocence of the said Frederick Lane. Depositions of Witnesses called by the Accused. This Deponent Joseph Woods on his Oath saith as follows: - I live at Leighton Buzzard and am part Proprietor of the Fountain Hotel there I saw the Defendant in the Hotel during his last visit there. I believe it was on the 21st June. He was staying with his Brother. They stayed two nights leaving on the 23rd their bill was paid. They did not give their names we do not usually ask the names of our customer. This Deponent Henry Lane sworn saith I live at London Road North Feltham and am a Commercial Traveller. I was travelling with my Brother Frederick at the latter end of June. We arrived at Leighton on the 21st and put up at the Fountain. On the 23rd we left Leighton and went to Fenny Stratford. On the 24th we returned to Leighton – My Brothers machine got out of order and he took it to the repairer. I did not go into the shop but remained outside I did not heat any of the conversation. My brother left his bicycle and brought another out of the shop we returned home reaching there the same day. While at Leighton my brother received a registered letter addresses to him F. Lane at the Fountain Hotel. We sent a parcel by Rail from Leighton addressed to [F] Lane North Feltham on the 23rd Next day after we got back to Feltham my machine broke down – the bill produced is the receipt for the repairs. On the 5th July my machine broke down again and I had it repaired. The bill produced is the receipt for the repairs. But for these break downs I should be on my rounds in Leighton again with my brother. I have been with him twice in Leighton already this year and we stayed each time at the Fountain. Between the 24th and the 5th July my Brother has constantly and openly used the bicycle produced in and about Feltham. [Cross-examined] We did not give our names at the Fountain on either occasion. We were not asked. We did not tell them at the Fountain that they might expect us again shortly. We went straight to Feltham from Haskins shop. If my brother told Haskins he would call again in the evening it was an untruth. This Deponent Eliza Mirian [Miraim] Buckingham sworn saith I am a Domestic Servant at the Fountain Hotel in Leighton Buzzard. I remember the Defendant and his Brother staying at the Fountain last month. They stayed two days. A registered parcel came for one of them in the name of Lane. One of them signed for it and I gave the receipt to the postman. I have been at the Fountain two years – They have been there twice lately. They stayed there also two or three times last year. I did not know their names, This Deponent Rueben Appleton sworn saith I live at Feltham and am the Landlord of the Railway Tavern there. The Bagatelle Room is on the ground floor and is free of access to anyone except of course when the house is closed. Bicycles are often stood in the room. I have known Defendant from boyhood. There is nothing against his character so far as I know. I know that he has been in the habit of coming to Leighton for some years. Evidence Produced in folder; Certificate of Posting of a Registered Postal Packet . Parcels Department Feltham Station. Note from Mr B. Lane stating Repairs for 1 Lafty Machine 4/- July 5th. Paid to Mr A Turner 10 Powells Cottages Feltham. Receipt: R Wyatt and Son Cycle Makers and Repairers 108 and 168 High Street Hounslow, W. Making New pr of cones 3/- Received R. Wyatt

26 pages

item

Haskins, William,
Cleal, Cecil,
Wilson, George,
Woods, Thomas,
Lane, Frederick,
Wood, Joseph,
Lane, Henry,
Buckingham, Eliza Mirian,
Appleton, Rueben,
Lane, Alfred

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Staines, Feltham, cycle maker, assistant, detective, police sergeant, commercial traveller, hotelier, domestic servant, Landlord, cycles, stealing, watchmaker