QSR1850/3/5/3/a

Depositions of Joseph Hunt, labourer of Luton and Samuel Desborough, gamekeeper of Luton, in the case of George Thomspon accused of assault on Samuel Desborough

29 April 1850

From: 1850 To: 1850

Samuel Desborough: was a watcher at Luton Park. He was walking in the wood just outside the park and saw 3 men walking in a line in the wood. When asked what they were doing, the men ran. Desborough ran after them and caught hold of the accused. The other 2 men came in with their fists, knocking Desborough backwards. Whilst in the ground he was stuck by all three. He had a gun in both hands and felt someone pulling at it. He later found the gun stopped up with dirt and the ramrod broken. He then received a blow to the head, which he believed was a kick. He saw the prisoner running away; the other 2 were already out of sight. He left the woods and called out 'murder'. One of Mr Gutteridge's men came to assist him. The doctor attended him, putting a plaster on him and bleeding him with leeches. He was kept in bed for 4 days. Joseph Hunt: worked for Mr Gutteridge of West Hyde farm. he was plough near the wood when he saw 3 men going toward the park hedge. He saw all their faces and he can identify the prisoner as one of the men. About 3/4 of an hour later, he heard the cry of 'murder' and saw Desborough with blood down his face and a wound to his head. He could hardly speak and appeared faint. He had a gun, which Hunt took from him, it was stopped up with dirt.

item

Thompson, George,
Desborough, Samuel,
Hunt, Joseph,
Gutteridge

LUTON, Hyde West Hyde Farm, gamekeeper, assault