QSR1831/2/5/2

Depositions of William Townrow the younger, innkeeper of Luton. Sophia Fleet, dealer in Straw Plait of Tring. In the case of Stephen Tompkins accused of stealing a quantity of straw plait.

7 March 1831

From: 1831 To: 1831

William Townrow: he brought some straw plait at Luton Market and put it in his bar room. After he had done paying he told one of his children to hold the bag open and counted the bundles over and found one to be missing, He ascertain which it was and suspected Stephen Tompkins on account for his remaining about the bar for some time after he had been paid. When he saw Tompkins he told him he was sure he had a bundle of his plait and asked to take a look in his bag. The first bundle he took hold of was the one he missed. Mrs Fleet was standing by and asked Tompkins how it came to be in the bag. Tompkins said he did not know. Sophia Fleet: she was at Townrow’s house and heard him say he had lost a bundle of plait which cost him nearly £3. She told him that he might have overlooked it and he counted the bundles in her presence. Stepehn Tompkins came in and Mr Townrow told him he thought he had a bundle of his plait. Tompkins said he had not and Townrow told him to take a look in his bag. Tompkins did so and the first bundle Mr Townrow took was his. Tompkins said nothing but then said he did not know how it came there.

item

Tompkins, Stephen,
Townrow, William,
Fleet, Sophia

LUTON, innkeeper, stealing, Straw Plait