QSR1852/1/5/37/a

Depositions of Isaac Brightman, butcher of Eaton Socon and Robert Hart, police constable of Eaton Socon. In the case of Ann Brace accused of breaking into a shop and stealing 2lbs of pork.

1 November 1851

From: 1851 To: 1852

Isaac Brightman: keeper of a butchers shop in Eaton Socon. He missed some meat from his shop several times and suspected it stolen. he set Constable Robert Hart to watch and he left some pieces of pork in his shop at about 4 o'clock on 31 October. At 8 o'clock he found one of the pieces had been taken. The prisoner had been employed frequently by him as a charwoman. Robert Hart: he arranged with Mr Brightman to watch his shop. Around 6 o'clock he hid in Mr Wilkinson's garden, opposite the shop. About half past 6 he saw a woman come along and stop by the door of the shop; she unbolted the lower door and went into the shop. She took something off the sideboard and wrapped it in her apron. She then left the shop and bolted the door. Hart left his hiding place and followed her home. He then returned to the shop and with Mr Brightman, went to he prisoner’s house. He accused her of taking the meat. She said she had not and then ran upstairs in the dark. He followed her with a candle, to the children’s bedroom and she was in the act of concealing something under the bed. He insisted on seeing what she was hiding and it was a piece of pork. She said that she knew she was wrong and a foolish woman.

item

Brace, Ann,
Brightman, Isaac,
Hart, Robert

EATON SOCON, stealing, pork, butcher, charwoman