QSR1898/1/5/6,7

Depositions of Thomas Sibley, Polly Sibley, James Loft, George Sharp and William Chamberlain. In the case of Edward Cato and Thomas William Chandler, accused of stealing a silver watch, a silver chain and a silver brooch.

29 December 1897

From: 1897 To: 1898

Thomas Sibley: a landlord of the “Horse and Jockey” Inn in Luton. The prisoners came into his inn on Saturday 18th December and asked for lodgings. They stayed at his inn on Saturday night and Sunday night and left on Monday 20th December. His daughters room is up another flight of stairs. From the complaint made by his daughter he gave information to the police. Polly Sibley: the daughter of Thomas Sibley, landlord of the “Horse and Jockey” Inn. On the morning of Monday 20th December she had left her watch and chain in her bedroom. There was also a silver brooch. Later in the day, about 10.40am, she went into her room to find the items missing. The watch had her name written inside the case. The prisoners left the inn about 9am. James Loft: a dealer of Ampthill. On 20th December he was in the “Prince of Wales” inn in Ampthill. At about 3pm the prisoners entered the inn and offered him the silver chain for sale. The prisoner, Cato, said that he did not want to sell the watch because it belonged to his wife who had gone from Luton to Bedford by train. He was going to Bedford the next day and agreed to advance the prisoner, Cato, £5 on the watch and chain and he was to meet with him at the “Angel” Inn in Bedford the following day between 12pm and 1pm. He gave the prisoner, Cato, £5, and took the watch and chain. The next morning he gave them to the police constable, Sharp. He then went to the “Angel” Inn as arranged but the prisoners did not come. George Sharp: a police constable stationed at Ampthill. On Tuesday 21st December he received information from the Luton Borough Police regarding a watch, chain and brooch which had been stolen from a public house. From enquiries made he obtained the watch and chain from Mr. Loft . He followed the prisoners to Bedford and found that they had been staying at the “Angel” Inn and had left at 9am that morning. He overtook the prisoners on the road between Turvey and Olney. He stopped them though they denied all knowledge of the stolen items. He took the prisoners into custody. On the way the prisoner, Cato, stated that on Monday morning the prisoner, Chandler, called him outside of the “Angel” Inn and told him that he had the watch, chain and brooch and that they had better leave as quickly as possible. The prisoner, Chandler, told him that he was glad that he was caught. Chandler added that he had sold the watch on the road between Luton and Bedford. He took the prisoners to the County Police Station in Bedford and handed them to detective sergeant, Chamberlain. Chandler stated that he had sold the brooch at the “Angel” Inn for 6d. He then went to the “Angel” and obtained the stolen brooch. William Chamberlain: a detective sergeant of Luton. On Tuesday 21st December he received the prisoners from the custody of police constable, Sharp. He charged the prisoners with stealing a silver watch from the bedroom of the “Horse and Jockey” Inn on the 20th December. The prisoner, Cato, said, “Alright” and the prisoner, Chandler said, “Quite right”. On the way to Luton, the prisoner, Cato, said that he had not known that Chandler had taken the jewellery until he had told him. He added that he was older and ought to have told Chandler to take the jewellery back. The prisoner, Chandler, made no reply. Thomas William Chandler: He is not a confirmed criminal or a habitual thief. He had never been associated with his fellow prisoner, Cato, before. He had met Cato on a walk into Barnet and got into conversation with him. Cato told him that he was a builder and painter by trade and that if they could both get to Buxton then they shall get work. He knew nothing more of Cato whatsoever. He was out of work and hard up when he did the crime and it was on the impulse of the moment. He has regretted stealing the items ever since. He stole the item on impulse and is guilty and thus must be punished for it. Edward Cato: He knew nothing of the robbery until some time after he had left the Inn. He has been forced into this position against his will for he would not have committed a theft. He had refused to sell the watch when requested to do so for he fully intended to redeem it and send it back to the owner. On the morning on which the watch was stolen he was sitting in the kitchen when Chandler came in and asked him to go with him to get something for breakfast. When they had got come distance from the inn, Chandler told him that he had a watch and chain. He asked Chandler where he had got it from and he replied that they were laying on a table and he picked it up. He told Chandler that he had done a foolish thing and he replied that he had done wrong and was sorry for it. Being good friends with Chandler he could not bear to part from him and as such he is as much to blame as Chandler for he ought to have insisted on sending the watch back instead of borrowing money on it.

item

Sibley, Thomas,
Sibley, Polly,
Loft, James,
Sharp, George,
Chamberlain, William,
Chandler, Thomas William,
Cato, Edward

LUTON, AMPTHILL, Landlord, dealer, police constable, detective, stealing, silver