QSR1853/1/5/7a

Depositions of William Pratt, farmer of Totternhoe and John Battams, labourer of Totternhoe. In the case of George Gibbins accused of stealing 1 ewe and 1 sheep.

5 November 1852

From: 1852 To: 1853

William Pratt: a farmer of Totternhoe. The prisoner was one of his shepherds and had been employed since the previous Michaelmas. In June or July he had 2 sheep among his flock which the prisoner is accused of stealing. The sheep bore no marking but Pratt could swear to the ewe due to a sore place on her hip, and he believed the other sheep to be his property, due to its mixed breeding. He missed the sheep around harvest time, and told the prisoner that he was 2 short. On 20 October, he heard that the shepherd of Mr Battams, had 2 sheep which had had bought from the prisoner and so Pratt went to see them. Pratt identified them as his sheep and sent for Sergeant Clough. The prisoner had no authority to keep any sheep with Pratt's flock or sell any sheep. John Battams: lived at Totternhoe with his father, a farmer. He knew the prisoner well, and at the end of August or start of September, he heard the prisoner had 2 sheep for sale. He went with the prisoner to a field in Totternhoe, where he was shown the sheep. He bought the sheep a week or 10 days later. When asked who had had bought the sheep off, the prisoner said "Bobby Richardson".Statement of the accused: said that he hoped to be let off easily.

item

Gibbins, George,
Pratt, George,
Battams, John

TOTTERNHOE, shepherd, stealing, sheep