QSR1852/3/5/24

Depositions of James Bennett the younger, labourer of Goldington, James Flood, police constable and John Bennett, baker of Goldington. In the case of Thomas Newman accused of stealing half a peck of flour and half a peck of potatoes.

14 June 1852

From: 1852 To: 1852

James Bennett: son of James Bennett. On 13 June, around 4 in the morning, he saw the accused go into his father’s loft which was in an enclosed yard. He had heard the yard gate open and got out of bed. The loft is approach by a ladder. He saw the accused come into the yard and he took a sack from a cart, which belonged to his brother John Bennett. The sack was thrown into the doorway of the loft where there was some flour in sacks. He did not see the accused come down. The accused lived about 100 yards away. About half past 8 he went to the loft and observed that a sack of flour had been untied and loosely tied up again. Some flour was littered about. He also observed some potatoes on the flour. John Bennett: a baker of Goldington. His father, James Bennett, showed him some potatoes. They matched them with some potatoes he had in a tub in his father’s loft. He went to the accused house and found some potatoes on the floor in the back kitchen. He had gone to the house with the constable who took some potatoes and flour found in the back kitchen. When Bennett went into the loft he observed that one of the sacks of flour had been united and some flour taken out of it. This sack contained seconds. The accused was apprehended by Constable Flood whilst lying in a field of wheat. He accused said ha had taken too much beer that night before and did not know what he was doing. James Flood: found some potatoes in the back kitchen of the accused’s house. He also found some flour covered over with a cloth. He apprehended the prisoner whilst he was lying in a field of wheat. Bennett said that the accused must go to Bedford and that he (Bennett) had missed things before. The accused said he had never taken anything before. After being apprehended Newman said he was very sorry for what he had done.

item

Newman, Thomas,
Flood, James,
Bennett, John

GOLDINGTON, stealing, flour, baker, potatoes