QSR1871/1/5/7

Depositions and examination - John Thomas White of Salford, charged with stealing one live tame rabbit value 2s 6d from Joseph Lancaster at Salford on 15 December 1870

16 December 1870

From: 1870 To: 1871

Jane, wife of Joseph Lancaster of Salford, labourer – she knows the prisoner. They keep tame rabbits in their barn. She had only one rabbit which was safe in the barn yesterday morning 15 December when she gave it its breakfast. At 5pm she missed it and gave information to the police. The white rabbit produced is her husband’s. It is worth half a crown. John Young of Aspley Guise, beer retailer – about 4.30pm yesterday White came to his house and asked if he wanted to buy a rabbit. He gave him 2s for a white rabbit. He took the rabbit and delivered it up the same day to PC Armstrong. Samuel Armstrong of Aspley Guise, police constable - last night he heard of the loss of a rabbit belonging to Joseph Lancaster. He made inquiries and received the rabbit produced from John Young. He showed it to Lancaster who said it was his. Lancaster’s wife also said it was their rabbit. He took White into custody. On the way to the station White said “if I had not done that I should have done something worse before long”. John Thomas White – nothing to say.

item

White, John Thomas,
Lancaster, Joseph,
Lancaster, Jane,
Young, John,
Armstrong, Samuel

SALFORD, ASPLEY GUISE, stealing animals, rabbits, beer retailer, police constable