QSR1871/1/5/9-10

Depositions and examination - Thomas Neal and Charles Neal, charged with stealing 6 tame fowls from Thomas Harris at Shelton on 28 December 1870

3 January 1871

From: 1871 To: 1871

Thomas Harris of Shelton, farmer – he had a large number of fowls on his farm premises. On Wednesday 28 December he locked up his hen house with a padlock at 4pm having lost several fowls lately. From what he heard on Thursday morning he went to the hen house and found it locked. He unlocked it and found some fowls were gone. He sent for the police constable who showed him some fowls which he identified as his. The key produced is like the key he unlocks the henhouse with. George Lawrence of Shelton – he works from Mr Harris. On Wednesday he was in Mr Harris’s rickyard at about 7.30pm. He saw Charles Neal and Thomas Neal coming away from Mr Harris’ hen roost. A little before he heard the hens cry out. Charles Neal was carrying a sack. They were about 20 yards from him when he saw them. He told his father what he had seen. He saw the accused go behind a stack and leave the bundle there. They came to him and asked if he saw Joe anywhere with the net. He said he knew nothing about it. The accused said he expected he had gone on. John Lawrence of Shelton – he works for Mr Harris. He was catching sparrows in Mr Harris’ rickyard on Wednesday evening about 7.30pm. George Lawrence was with him. He though he heard Mr Harris’ fowls make a noise. He went to Mr Harris’ rick yard gate. He saw Charles Neal run across the yard. He did not see him carrying anything. He saw John Neal run behind him. They were both running away from the hen house. They went to one of the stacks in the rickyard. They came back to him and wanted to know if they had seen Joe Neal. George Purser, police constable stationed at Dean. On 29 December he received information from Thomas Harris that his hen house had been entered during the night and a number of fowls stolen. He made inquiries and apprehended Charles Neal. Charles Neal said he knew nothing about it. He gave Neal into the custody of the parish constable. He found Thomas Neal in a field at work and also charged him with entering Mr Harris’ hen house and stealing fowls. Thomas Neal said it was a bad job. He asked Neal for the key that the hen house door was unlocked with and said he would search Neal for it. Neal put his hand in his pocket and said “here’s the bloody key”. He also gave Thomas Neal to the parish constable. He then searched Charles Neal’s premises. In the barn under some straw he found a sack containing 6 fowls. Mr Harris identified the fowls and key. Charles Neal - his brother unlocked the door and they both went in and fetched them.

item

Neal, Thomas,
Neal, Charles,
Harris, Thomas,
Lawrence, George,
Lawrence, John,
Purser, George

SHELTON, DEAN, stealing animals, fowls, farmer, police constable