QSR1842/2/5/10/a

Depositions - George Perry of Elstow charged with stealing a bag and a cambric handkerchief

6 April 1842

From: 1842 To: 1842

Henry Davis Ward of Felmersham, clerk - he was on the Bedford Racecourse yesterday between 3pm and 5pm. He was on horseback within 2 or 3 yards of Dr Witt's phaeton. At that time a hurdle race was being run and the horses were coming in at the winning post. Dr Witt was in his carriage and a lady with him - he does not know whether it was Mrs Witt as he did not see her face. Dr Witt stood up to see the horses come in. He saw the prisoner get on the hind wheel of the carriage on the hub, but did not take particular notice of him until the lady rose to look at the horses, when the prisoner mounted the tire of the wheel, placed his left hand on the back part of the carriage between the lead and the seat, and streched himself across the seat and took up the lady's black bag. He tried to push his horse up to seize the man before he could get down, but it reared and in an instant the man was down. He kept his eye on the man and as soon as he got round the carriage he seized him by the collar. The police came and he gave the man into their custody. He does not know what became of the bag, but saw him take it from the left or near side of the carriage where the lady was sitting. If his horse had not reared he would have taken the man with the bag in his hand, but he seemed most expert at his trade as it was done in an instant. Dr Witt's and the lady's backs were both turned towards the prisoner. Richard Byers, one of the police of the county of Bedford - he was on duty yesterday on the race course. He heard a gentleman call out and his attention was drawn to a carriage close by the grand stand. He observed the prisoner spring from the wheel of the carriage which he learnt afterwards belonged to Dr Witt. He went up to the carriage and Mr Ward gave him into his custody on a charge of stealing a bag. He took hold of the prisoner who said "search me". He took him into a booth and searched him. He took from the prisoner's pocket four pence farthing in copper which he said was all the money he had. He took the prisoner to the cage at Bedford where he stripped him and found he had a green purse containing 4 half crowns, 2 shillings and 1 farthing. Amongst the articles taken from the prisoner were a white cambric pocket handkerchief, one corner of which is partly torn off, with part of the initials of a name still remaining. On the way to Bedford the prisoner said "they can't do much to me for it". [On questioning by the prisoner] The prisoner did not give him the purse before he searched him. He never asked him whether he took the purse.

item

Perry, George,
Ward, Henry Davis,
Byers, Richard,
Witt

ELSTOW, BEDFORD, theft, horse racing, money