QSR1850/3/5/17/a

Depositions of William Tompkins, licensed victualler of Leighton Buzzard, Joseph Hopkins, baker of Heath and Reach and John King, coach maker of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of John Cleaver, accused of stealing a screw wrench

20 June 1850

From: 1850 To: 1850

Joseph Hopkins: on 7 June he borrowed a screw wrench from William Tompkins and missed the wrench on the evening of 12 June. It had been lying under a shed near his house in Heath & Reach. On the same day the prisoner had come to the house selling matches. He later heard the accused had a wrench for sale. Cleaver, at first denied taking it, but later said he had taken it for the want of bread. John King: the prisoner came to his shop with the wrench, offering to sell it. He originally denied but the prisoner stated he was in distress and King purchased the wrench for a shilling. The prisoner later returned and asked for the wrench and returned the shilling. As he was leaving Cleaver was approached by the policeman and Joseph Hopkins, who charged him with stealing the wrench. He told the constable he had stolen it as he was in distress.

item

Cleaver, John,
Tompkins, William,
Hopkins, Joseph,
King, John

heath and reach, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, stealing, tools, coach maker, victualler, baker