QSR1912/1/5/2b(i) (ii)

Stateman of one of the accused, John Bateman

1st November 1911

From: 1911 To: 1912

John Bateman was charged that on 27th October 1911 he did unlawfully & feloniously steal take & carry away a pair of Boots of the value of 10 shillings & 6 pence the goods & chattle of William Edwin Briggs (trading as Briggs & Company) And the charge being read to the said John Bateman and the witnesses for the prosecution being severally examined in his presence, the said John Bateman was asked if he wished to say anything in answer to the charge, He says I am not guilty, When Taylor was being taken I came down to get a look & get shelter as I was destitute. Taken before me at the Court House, Luton. aforesaid on the day & year first above mentioned. He was asked if he desired to call any witness, in answer to such demand the said John Bateman neither called or desired to call any persons. Signed Abert Wilkinson Statement/letter from J Bateman - dated 29th December 1911 Sirs, I therefore state that I am innocent of this charge of stealing boots or anything else. I admitt standing ar the corner of the street with another man, but at the same time a police sergeant came by and I said to him there is a police serheant gone by and then he said I am going to hav e a pair of boots, and when he said that I told him he would get pinched, and I left him and went up the street. And about 3 minutes after I sawthe owner of the shop had got him, of course when I saw that I came back to him and when the witness saw me he said to him is that man with you. I myself said 'yes' because I wanted a nights lodgings I was going into the union only for that. Signed J. Bateman

item

Bateman, John,
Briggs, William,
Wilkinson, Albert

LUTON, stealing, boots, letters