QSR1853/4/5/20a,21-23a

Depositions of John Sharman, linen dealer of Leighton Buzzard, Thomas Baker Fox, draper journeyman of Leighton Buzzard and Thomas Worsley, police constable of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of Martha Lovell, William Bates, Richard Hyde & William Barrett accused of stealing 12 silk handkerchiefs.

13 October 1853

From: 1853 To: 1853

John Sharman: a linen draper of Leighton Buzzard. About 6 o’clock on 12 October, he was called into the shop to serve customers. The female prisoner and Barratt wished to be served with some ready made items. Bates and Hide also entered the shop, and the 4 clearly knew each other. Sharman was called away and left the customer with his assistant Thomas Barker Fox. Afterward he saw the prisoners together in another of his shops. He was later shown some coloured silk handkerchiefs, which he identified as his, but he had not sold them to any of the accused. Thomas Barker Fox: an assistant to John Sharman and also resided in his house. He was called by Sharman to serve the 4 prisoners. He served them with Sunday articles and Hide and Barratt both purchased something. The prisoners were all clearly acquainted and spoke together. Bates asked about some coloured silk handkerchiefs and Fox took him, by himself, to his masters other shop. He went to the window for some handkerchiefs and on turning back found the other 3 prisoners had followed and were standing around the box of handkerchiefs. The 3 male prisoners bought a silk handkerchief each. He did not missed any handkerchiefs after they had gone, but the same evening the Constable came to his master and produced several pieces of coloured silk handkerchiefs which he had shown that day to the prisoners. Thomas Worsley: he apprehended at a public house in Leighton Buzzard, Martha Lovell and Barratt, on the charge of stealing a bag. On searching it he found 13 silk handkerchiefs. Hide and Bates were also in their company, and followed Worsley and the others into town. He found several new items in Barratt’s bundle which he said he had bought from Mr Sharman. Informed by Fox that the 4 prisoners had been in the shop together, he also took Bates & Hide into custody. Statements of the accused: Martha Lovell – she knew nothing of the silk handkerchiefs except the one which she put in her bag. She did not know how the others had got there. William Bates – knew nothing of the items. Richard Hide: said he knew nothing of the other people and Bates had come to him asking him to show him Mr Bassett’s shop. He went there not knowing Lovell and Barrett were there. Mr Sharman produced some handkerchiefs for them to look at. He had picked up half a dozen, which he paid for. They went over to the other shop and they each bought a silk handkerchief. William Barratt: he did not know he had anything which did not belong to him.

item

Lovell, Martha,
Bates, William,
Hyde, Richard,
Barrett, William,
Sharman, John,
Fox, Thomas Barker,
Worsley, Thomas

stealing, handkerchief, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, linen dealer, draper