QSR1852/2/5/14-16

Depositions of George William Baker, farm bailiff and William Ralph Young, police superintendent. In the case of Joseph Timms, John Timms and Thomas Timms accused of stealing 3 and a half bushels of potatoes property of Francis, Duke of Bedford.

10 March 1852

From: 1852 To: 1852

George William Baker: farm bailiff to His Grace the Duke of Bedford and resided at Woburn Park Farm. He suspected someone was stealing potatoes from the loft in a building on the Park Farm belonging to His Grace. On 9 March he watched the building and about half past 7 he heard the door attached to the loft unlock. He heard footsteps up the ladder and then a door open at the far end of the loft and something heavy fall to the floor. He was concealed under a rick frame and he heard someone leave the building, locking the door after him. He then heard footsteps of more than one man outside the barn where he believed the heavy weight to have fallen. He heard shuffling and what sounded like a heavy substance being lifted. He came out from where he was concealed. He went to the spot and saw 3 people. The 2 younger ones were lifting sacks and the elder holding a lantern. He spoke to the elder and asked if he was ashamed of himself, to which the reply was yes. All the prisoners were in the duke employ. The elder prisoner begged for forgiveness and said that it was the first time he had done this. Baker told him that was not possible and the men all left together. Baker then returned twice more to the barn, meeting the elder man, Joseph Timms, on both occasions. Tiimms asked for forgiveness again. The duke’s watchman then came and took the potatoes to Baker house and the police superintendent was called. The 2 younger prisoners live on Park Farm but their work ended at 6 o'clock. The elder had a key to a loft over Tom Beale's Stable and had the right to store potatoes there. None of the prisoners had purchased potatoes from the duke that year William Ralph Young: he found a key in the prisoner’s house which opened a loft in Tom Beales stable at Park Farm, where he found potatoes the same as those belonging to the duke. He found another key on the elder prisoner which opened the barn cellar behind Mr Baker's house.Statement of the accused: Joseph Timms - there were not 10 bushels the same as those produced. he had planted some of that sort. He had always had potatoes from the store for the past 26 years. John Timms - said he did not know he was doing wrong or he would not have done it. Thomas Timms - said he did not know he was doing wrong or he would not have done it.

item

Baker, George William,
Young, William Ralph,
Timms, Joseph,
Timms, John,
Timms, Thomas,
Russell, Francis (7th Duke of Bedford),
Beale, Thomas

WOBURN, Woburn Park Farm, crime, stealing, potatoes, farm bailiff