QSR1842/3/5/16

Depositions and examination - John Roberts

28 April 1842

From: 1842 To: 1842

Charles Flint - yesterday he went to Roberts' house in Marston to apprehend his son on a charge of felony. He had the son in custody and was taking him along the road towards Lidlington where there is a lock up. Roberts met him and tried to get the prisoner away. He did not tell Roberts what he had the prisoner in charge for. He help up his stick and told him to keep off. Roberts then struck his face and he warded off the blow with his arm. Another policeman George Cheney was near and he called Cheney to assist. him. Cheney took Roberts into custody. Roberts asked what he was going to do with his son. He said "you leave him alone he is my prisoner". He had his police dress on. He had been searching for Roberts' son for some time - he is charged with stealing a macintosh coat belonging to Thomas Richardson of Cranfield. After he had warded of the first blow Roberts kept struggling with him until Cheney came up. He can't say if he struck Roberts or not. George Cheney, police constable no 5 - he was with Flint when he had Roberts' son in custody. He followed them towards Lidlington. He saw Flint struggling with a man and heard him call him. He ran up and saw Roberts still struggling with Flint. He had hold of his neck at that moment. Roberts appeared to be trying to rescue the prisoner. He took Roberts into custody. He did not see Flint strike Roberts. He did not tell Flint not to strike him. He never saw his stick raised. John Roberts - he met Mr Flint and his boy and said "where are you going?". Flint said "stand off Roberts" and struck him across the head with a stick. Flint called out directly to the other policeman to take him into custody. Cheney said to him "Gently Flint there is the same law for him as there is for you - don't strike him again".

item

Roberts, John,
Flint, Charles,
Cheney, George,
Richardson, Thomas

MARSTON MORETAINE, LIDLINGTON, CRANFIELD, assault, police constable, lock ups, stealing, coat