Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1898/4/5/9b
  • Title
    The Examination of Charles William Deacon of Chapel Street in the Borough of Luton, Corn Merchant; Albert Bodsworth 30 Hastings St, Luton, Carter; Charles Rogers, Inspector of Police for Borough of Luton; William Chamberlain Detective Sergeant for the Borough of Luton; Moss Sharp Police Constable for the Borough of Luton; In the case of Frank Taylor accused of feloniously did steal take and carry away a quantity of corn and chaff of the value of 10/- the property of Charles William Deacon.
  • Date free text
    21st September 1898
  • Production date
    From: 1898 To: 1898
  • Scope and Content
    This Deponent Charles William Deacon on his Oath saith as follows:- I am a corn merchant and have business premises in Chapel Street Luton. The prisoner has been employed by me for about two months. Several times corn has been missed from the mill during the fortnight preceding the 6th Sept. inst. On Tuesday the [6th] inst from what I was told I went to the mill yard and in the stable I saw a quantity of mixed corn in a bag concealed under some straw in an empty stall. I examined it for the purpose of identifying corn and bag. The same afternoon I found it had been taken away. The prisoner had been at work on the premises. From enquiries I made I saw Prisoner Taylor. I asked him what he had received for the corn and chaff taken by Bodsworth to Burgess Windsor Street Luton, He replied “I have sent no corn there I sent chaff yesterday” I then asked him what became of the corn he took from the Mill and hid in the stable. I said I had been making enquiries. He then admitted having sent some corn and chaff to Burgess Windsor St. Luton where he said he had had 2d for. I gave him into custody. The following day I went to Burgess’ stable in company of D. Sergt. Chamberlain and saw the bag and corn produced in the stable which I identify as stolen from my yard which I value at 9/- or 10/- This Deponent Albert Bodsworth of Luton in the said Borough of Luton saith as follows: - I live at 30 Hastings St. Luton and am Carter employed by Mr C.W. Deacon the Prosecutor. On Tuesday morning the 6th Sept. inst. I went to work at the stable in Chapel St. Luton about 7 a.m. In a few minutes I saw the Prisoner Taylor. He said “I want a drop of oil for a woman up our street” I said “wait till Jim comes” (meaning the Miller) He went out of the stable climbed up the door into the loft in which is a window by which anyone could get into the mill where the corn is kept. He was gone about 20 minutes. I went out and called him. He replied I will be down directly” He shortly afterwards called me and said “catch hold of this” It was a sack containing corn about two bushels. He came down the door and carried it with an empty [stall] in the stable saying “this is for Burgess I want you to take it” After dinner I went to the stable to help Prisoner cut chaff, an order for Mr Matthews, 4 cwt when that was cut Prisoner said “you go to the shop and get the ticket” I did so. Prisoner said “I will load you up” then Matthews’ chaff was put on the cart prisoner put on a bag of mixed chaff about ½ cut. He then said “pick that bit of corn up and take it to Burgess Windsor Street “ I delivered the corn and chaff and saw Mr Burgess. I put the corn in the stable and chaff in the wash house and is the same as the corn and chaff produced. On Monday evening the 5th about 8p.m. Burgess was outside the yard gate. He spoke to Prisoner. He said “shall you see Len tonight, I want some chaff, it don’t matter whether I pay you or Len” They walked together to the bottom of Victoria Street Luton and stood about 5 minutes in a whispered conversation. Burgess went up Victoria Street. Prisoner said here’s 3d Fred. I did not see any money pass between Burgess and Prisoner This Deponent Charles Rogers of Luton in the said Borough of Luton saith as follows; _ I am Inspector of Police in the Borough of Luton I took down the confession of Prisoner produced and which he signed. This Deponent William Chamberlain of Luton in the said Borough of Luton saith as follows: - I am a Detective Sergt. for the Borough of Luton. On Wednesday the 7th Sept. inst I went to the stable of Amos Burgess Windsor Street Luton where I found the corn produced also some chaff which Burgess stated was delivered on Tuesday. I fetched Mr Deacon and he saw the Chaff and identified it. This Deponent Moss Sharp of Luton in the said Borough of Luton as follows: - I am a Police Constable for the Boro’ of Luton. On Tuesday the 6th Sept. inst about 9 p.m. I was called by Mr. Deacon who was talking to Prisoner in Castle Street. Mr Deacon said “Policeman I give this man into custody for stealing a quantity of corn” Prisoner replied “don’t be like that Mr. Deacon I have told you the truth, I had one lot on Saturday morning and one feed since” I conveyed Prisoner to the Police Office and charged him with stealing a quantity of corn and Chaff on the 6th Sept value of 10/-. He replied “I am not guilty of that” Statement of Accused: - Nothing further to say. Voluntary Statement from Prisoner: - Frank Taylor a Prisoner now in Custody wish to make a Voluntary statement. If it had not been for certain people I should not have been here now. I refer to Joseph Underwood and Amos Burgess. When I was busy about my work trying to get an honest living these men came to me Underwood came first and asked me whether I could get him come corn and chaff. He said I will give you something for it. I told him that I would see if I could - I would - this would be about a fortnight ago today (and that would August 31st) and on the following Saturday I took him about a Bushel and half of Beans - I had previously took him half Bushel or there abouts of mixture for which he gave me 6d and he also gave me one shilling for the Beans - Amos Burgess came to me on the Monday night before I was arrested on the Tuesday. He said could you take me 2 bushels of chaff he added – here’s a tanner for you – handing me 6d and said anytime when you want a shilling you know where to come for it – of the 6d he gave me I gave my mate 3d and kept the other 3d myself – and the next day Tuesday I sent my mate with a bag of chaff and about two Bushel of Beans to Amos Burgess house in Windsor Street - he afterward told me that he had took it – I was arrested the same night – I want to say that if it had not been for Joseph Underwood telling me to get the stuff for him and tempting me I should never thought of taking it and I should have been at my place of work now. Signed this 14th day of Sept. 1898 in the presence of Charles Rogers Inspector
  • Exent
    11 pages
  • Level of description
    item
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