QSR1852/3/5/1/a

Depositions of Thomas Johnson, labourer of Biddenham, John Webster, beer retailer of Union Street, Bedford and John Fowler, police constable of Dane Street, Bedford. In the case of Uriah Johnson, accused of stealing a spade.

12 April 1852

From: 1852 To: 1852

Thomas Johnson: a labourer for Mr William Lavender. On 2 April he was working planting young ashes, and was using his spade. When he had finished for the day, he hid his spade in the plantation under a little earth. Next morning he missed his spade. He had seen the accused, his nephew and Charles Brockett on the evening of 2 April in the field next to the plantation, and they were going towards Bedford. In consequence of information received he went to Webster's beer house in Union Street and there saw his spade. John Webster: a beer house keeper of Union Street in Bedford. On the evening of 2 April the accused came to the yard with the spade and asked to leave it there. John Fowler: a constable with the rural police, living in Dane Street, Bedford. From information received he went to Webster's beer house on 4 April and asked if anyone had brought a spade there on Friday 2 April. Webster said Uriah Johnson had and he produced the spade and gave it to Fowler. Fowler took Uriah Johnson into custody and told him of the charge. Johnson said he had a right to take the spade.

item

Johnson, Uriah,
Johnson, Thomas,
Webster, John,
Fowler, John,
Brockett, Charles,
Lavender, William

BIDDENHAM, Bedford Union Street, Bedford Dane Street, beer sellers, stealing, spade