QSR1853/1/5/31

Depositions of Robert Moran, labourer of Grantham and William Clough, police sergeant of Hockcliffe. In the case of Thomas Patten accused of stealing a canvas bag, a half sovereign and a shilling.

1 January 1853

From: 1852 To: 1853

Robert Moran: a labouring man of Grantham in Lincolnshire. On 31 December, whilst on his way to Sydenham in Kent, he was overtaken by the prisoner and they struck up conversation. They arrived together in Woburn about 7 o'clock. They went to the White Hart public house and slept in the same bed. They were the only people in the room. Before retiring Moran had paid for his and the prisoner's supper, as he believed Patten to be in a destitute state. Moran left a half sovereign and a shilling in a brown canvas bag in the pocket of his breeches when he went to bed. The half sovereign was wrapped in tobacco paper which he had received at Market Harborough. About quarter past 6 in the morning, Moran and the prisoner left the room together and went on the road to Dunstable. Moran got about 2 miles from Woburn when he missed his purse and money. He told the prisoner who suggested he return as he may have lost it on the floor. The prisoner said he wanted to get to London as quickly as he could. Moran went on with the prisoner to Hockcliffe when he advised the police that he had been robbed by the prisoner. The prisoner did not want to go to the police and said that he would treat Moran with a shilling he found, as he was eager to get to London. William Clough: from information he had received he called the prisoner, who was standing in the road, to him. He told the prisoner of the charge. The prisoner said he had no money, but when he saw Clough was to search him, he said he had a shilling and a farthing. He searched him and found a bag with a shilling in it and a piece of tobacco paper. These were identified by the prosecutor. There was an impression in the tobacco paper of a half sovereign or sixpence having been wrapped in it. The prisoner said he found the bag and paper in the lining of his coat, and that someone must have put them there.Statement of the accused: he found the money in the lining of his waistcoat and knew not how it had got there.

item

Patten, Robert,
Patten, Thomas,
Moran, Robert,
Clough, William

WOBURN, Woburn White Hart, Grantham, Hockcliffe, stealing, money