QSR1842/3/5/29

Depositions and examination - William Ward

17 May 1842

From: 1842 To: 1842

Richard Clarke of Woburn, grocer - yesterday afternoon he had a plain white silk handkerchief in his pocket, At about 10pm he was coming home and a row was taking place in the street. A mob went into a field adjoining the town and he followed them. A fight took place. He stood to watch. William Heighington asked him if he had lost his pocket handkerchief - he felt in his pocket and found it gone. Heighington told him Ward had it. He took hold of Ward, the watchman came up and he gave Ward into his charge. He saw the watchman search Ward, and while he was doing so he saw the handkerchief on the ground close to the prisoner's feet, on his foot and not under it. He has no doubt it is his. William Heighington of Woburn, shoemaker - he followed the mob into the field. He saw Ward standing close behind Richard Clarke. He suspected him as he had previously seen him standing close behind another person who had lost a handkerchief. He turned his eyes for a moment and directly afterwards was told Richard Clarke had lost his handkerchief. He said he thought Ward had got it. He saw Ward searched by the watchman. He saw the white silk handkerchief produced by the watchman but does not know where it came from. Clarke claimed it as his. John Sinfield, watchman of Woburn - a disturbance took place last night and he went towards Mr Atterbury's field where it was. Ward was given into his charge by Richard Clarke for stealing his handkerchief. He searched Ward. He found a red cotton handkerchief between his shirt and flannel waistcoat. He undid his small clothes and saw the handkerchief now produced fall down. He saw it fall away from his trousers as he turned them down. Clarke picked it up and claimed it. William Ward - he did not do it. He did not have it in his hand and knew nothing about it. If it was found there it was put there by some other person or thrown there during the scuffle. He comes from Oxford and was selling matches.

item

Ward, William,
Clarke, Richard,
Heighington, William,
Sinfield, John,
Atterbury

WOBURN, Oxford, pickpocket, grocer, shoemaker