QSR1856/3/5/25

Depositions of Reuben Champkin, labourer of Houghton Regis, William Parkins, labourer of Houghton Regis, Joseph Tofield, carpenter of Houghton Regis and Charles Dale, police sergeant of Houghton Regis. In the case of William Harris accused of stealing a saw.

16 June 1856

From: 1856 To: 1856

Reuben Champkin: in February 1854 he had been sawing at Houghton Regis with William Harris. He had fetched a pit saw from Joseph Topfield’s to cut a nail. Harris sent the saw to London to be re-cut and the saw came back in about a fortnight. They used it for about 2 months after that it broke and had a bit cut off. In March 1856 he went to work with Harris again and Harris said he had sold the saw to William Parkins for half a crown. Harris told him not to say anything about it. He had since seen the saw in Parkins possession. William Parkins: in the middle of February he bought a saw of William Harris and gave him half a crown for it. It had been in his possession since until the 31 May when he gave it up to PC Dale. Joseph Tofield: he was a carpenter and had employed the prisoner for several years at different times. About 2 years ago he lost a pit saw. He had been working for Mr Brandreth at the time. The prisoner was sawing there at the time. When he missed it and several times since, he asked the prisoner if he knew about it. The prisoner said he did not. He identified the saw produced although it was now shorter and the tiller had been broken. Sergeant Charles Dale: he took the prisoner into custody on 9 June. The prisoner said he knew nothing about it. Statement of the accused: he reserved his defence.

item

Harris, William,
Champkin, Reuben,
Parkins, William,
Tofield, Joseph,
Dale, Charles

HOUGHTON REGIS, stealing, tools, carpenters