Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1870/4/5/15/b
  • Title
    Depositions and examination - Tempest Ebenezer Handscombe, charged with taking a silver watch belonging to William Hills for which he was the bailee for his own use
  • Date free text
    12 October 1870
  • Production date
    From: 1870 To: 1870
  • Scope and Content
    Mary Hills, wife of William Hills of Blunham – she saw Handscombe on 29 July when he brought her a broach he had had to mend. She asked him for her husband’s watch. He said it was mended and was going very nicely but wanted to keep it a few more days to try it. He said he would bring it when he came to Blunham the next week. They heard nothing more of him until last Thursday 6 October. Hearing he was at Roxton she went there and asked for the watch. Handscombe said it was done and going on very nicely but he should like to keep it a few days longer. She said that is what he told her in July and she must have it today, done or not. He said he did not have it with him. She asked where it was. He refused to answer. She waited some time and he said she should have it in a few days. On Saturday 8th she saw him again at Dr Mountain’s at Blunham, who told him to give the watch up. Handscombe said it was not done and was at his residence at Bedford, but would not give any address. The watch was worth £3. He told her the watch would be ready for delivery next Friday (14th). Her husband has fits and is too ill to attend. Thomas Stock, police constable at Blunham – on 8 October by Dr Mountain’s order he took Handscombe into custody. Handscombe gave him the watch case now produced and said the works were at his residence at Bedford. By Dr Mountain’s orders he went to Bedford with him to get the works. When they got there Handscombe refused to say where he lived or produce the works. He went with Handscombe to the county police office and he said in the presence fo Mr Graham that the works were in Clerkenwell, London, but gave no further address. [Cross-examination] After leaving Dr Mountain’s they went to Thomas’ house at Blunham where Handscombe has been at work. Handscombe was locked up in the cage at Blunham for about half an hour. Tempest Ebenezer Handscombe – the remainder of the watch is ready for delivery quite complete and was to be delivered next Friday by agreement, that being the time she allowed him.
  • Level of description
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