QSR1840/4/5/9

Depositions and examination - David Sturges of Keysoe

4 August 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

Robert Lines of Keysoe - after he had his tea the previous day he went to look at his wheat. He returned home about 7.30pm and saw his wife coming from the meeting. He left home again and on returning about 8pm in consequence of what his wife said he went upstairs, looked into his coffer and missed some money - £5.10s which was in a purse in the coffer. The purse produced is the one he missed. He also missed a handkerchief which is the one now produced. He is sure he had seen the handkerchief on the prisoner's neck since he missed it. He also missed a bit of ham and a quartern loaf. He found a hole in through the wall into the pantry - the wall was mud and clay - just large enough for a man to get in. There was no hole in the wall in the morning. The 3 sovereigns in the purse were wrapped in the same sort of paper as they are now. John Flanders of Keysoe, gamekeeper to Mr Bainbridge - suspecting the prisoner of the robbery he apprehended Sturges about 10.30, lying under the banks of a brook. He took him to a nearby house. The policeman said he would search him and Sturges said "what I have taken from him I have got in my pocket". Sturges pulled the purse out of his pocket at gave it to him. The handkerchief was round the prisoner's neck. Robert Young of Bedfordshire Police - he was passing Mr Lines' house, and due to what Lines told him he went in pursuit of Sturges. John Flanders gave Sturges into his custody and gave him the purse. David Sturges - declined to say anything.

item

Lines, Robert,
Sturges, David,
Flanders, John,
Young, Robert,
Bainbridge

KEYSOE, breaking & entering, stealing, money, gamekeeper, Construction