QSR1911/4/5/7b (i)(ii)(iii)(vi)(v)(vi)(vii)

Deposition: George Goymer and Arthur Cannon Smith Detective Sergeant

31st July 1911

From: 1911 To: 1911

QSR1911/4/5/7b (i) Borough of Luton to wit: The Examination of George Goymer 72 Old Bedford Road in the Borough of Luton, and of Arthur Cannon Smith of Police Station in the said Borough, taken on Oath this 9th day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eleven at Luton, in the Borough of Luton aforesaid, before the undersigned, One of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said Borough of Luton, in the presence and hearing of Charles Richardson who was charged this day before me for that he the said Charles Richardson on Monday, the 31st day of July One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eleven at the Borough of Luton aforesaid. Did unlawfully and feloniously steal take and carry away a Silver Watch and Chain together of the value of One Pound Fifteen shillings the goods and chattels of George Goymer. This Deponent George Goymer on his Oath saith as follows:- QSR1911/4/5/7b (ii) (iii) I am the coachman in the employ of Mr. Dripple George Hotel Luton and I reside at 72 Old Bedford Road Luton. On Monday the 31st July 1911 about one fifteen p.m. I hung my coat and waistcoat on a hook in the stable my watch and chain were in the waistcoat. About half past two, I went to look for my things and the watch and chain were gone. I gave information to the police. The next morning Detective Sergeant Smith produced to me the watch and chain produced and I identified them as mine. I value them at Thirty-five shillings. They are the watch and chain I left in my waistcoat and were missing. Signed George Goymer QSR1911/4/5/7b (iv) (v) (vi) This Deponent Arthur Cannon Smith of Luton upon his Oath saith as follows: I am a Detective Sergeant in the Luton Borough Police Force. On Monday the 31st July 1911, I received information that a silver watch and chain had been stolen from a stable at the George Hotel. I made enquires and on the following morning I found Prisoner detained at a shop in Manchester Street where it was alleged in his presence that he had attempted to obtain goods by means of a false pretence. I conveyed him to the Police Station and on searching him I found the watch and chain produced in his possession seeing that it answered the description of the one stolen I showed it to the Prosecution and he at once identified it as being the one stolen. I then said to the Prisoner “This watch and chain have been identified as stolen how do you account for this being in you possession” The Prisoner said, “I bought that three years ago” I then charged him with stealing the watch and chain and in reply he said “I shall plead not guilty to that charge” Signed Arthur C. Smith QSR1911/4/5/7b (vii) Borough of Luton to Wit Charles Richardson stands charged before the undersigned, one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the Borough of Luton, this 9th day of August in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eleven for that he the said Charles Richardson on the 31st day of July 1911, at the Borough of Luton, Did unlawfully and feloniously steal take and carry away a Silver Watch and Chain together of the value of One Pound Fifteen Shillings the goods and chattels of George Goymer. And the said Charge being read to the said Charles Richardson and the Witnesses for the prosecution being severally examined in his presence, is now addressed by me as follows: “Having heard the evidence, do you wish to say anything in answer to the charge? You are not obliged to say anything unless you desire to do so; but whatever you say will be taken down in Writing, and may be given in Evidence against you upon your Trial. And you are clearly to understand that you have nothing to hope from any Promise of Favour, and nothing to fear from any Threat, which may have been holden out to you to induce you to make any admission or a confession of your guilt, but whatever you shall now say may be given in evidence against you upon your Trial, notwithstanding such Promise of Threat:” Whereupon the said Charles Richardson saith as follows:- “I have nothing to say” Rear of Document:- Taken before me at the Court House, Luton, in the Borough aforesaid, on the day and year first above mentioned. And immediately after obeying the directions of the 18th Section of the Act Eleventh and Twelfth Victoria, Chapter Forty-Two, I, the said Justice of the Peace, did demand and require of the said Charles Richardson whether he desired to call any Witness; and thereupon in answer to such demand the said Charles Richardson [neither] called or desired to call [any person or persons] as Witnesses. Signed Albert Wilkinson

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item

Goymer, George,
Smith, Arthur Cannon,
Dipple, Mr,
Richardson, Charles,
Wilkinson, Albert

theft, watch, chain, stealing, Luton George Hotel, Luton Manchester Street, LUTON