QSR1872/4/5/9

Depositions and examination - John Clifton, charged with stealing a whip value 4s 6d from John Church at Dunstable on 3 January 1872

11, 18 and 25 September 1872

From: 1872 To: 1872

11 September 1872 ---------------------------- John Akers – he is the groom at the Saracens Head. On 3 January Clifton spoke to him in the yard about Mr Thorne’s pony then went up the yard saying he was going to see after some bullocks. The whip was in a cart before he saw Clifton. He missed it a short time afterwards and suspected Clifton. He had been at the spot where the cart was. He gave information to the police. He paid the owner Mr Church 4s 6d for it. Obed Thorne – he is a butcher living at Markyate Street. About 4 months ago he bought a whip like the one produced from Clifton. He gave him 2s for it. Clifton said he had it from Halsey at Rickmansworth Fair. He gave the whip to the police. He kept it about a fortnight. Henry Tofield PC – on 7 February he received the whip produced from Mr Thorne. He showed it to John Church Junior who identified it as the whip stolen on 3 January. On 9 September he apprehended Clifton and charged him with the robbery. Clifton said the whip he sold Thorne had been broken at the top. Clifton was then remanded until 18th September. 18 September 1872 ---------------------------- Ezra Marcham – he is employd by Mr Rodwell of Dunstable, baker. As he was coming from Redbourn Fair about 5 or 7pm he met Clifton near the Halfmoon public house. Clifton was coming from Dunstable and had a whip in his hand like the one produced. It had a bone end. Clifton asked if he would buy it. He believes Clifton asked for 4 shillings. William Halsey – he is a [horse?] dealer living at Luton. Clifton has been in his employ. He has not sold a whip like the one produced. Obed Thorne – he wishes to correct his evidence. He kept the whip for 5 weeks. He bought it on a Wednesday 2 or 3 January and gave it up on a Wednesday. He did not say that Clifton bought the whip at Rickmansworth Fair from Halsey, but when he lived with Halsey. John Church – he now lives at 16 Peckham Park Road. The whip produced is his. He last saw it on 3 January. He left it in Mr Shenfield’s yard in a cart about 3pm and missed it at 8pm when he was going home. He identified it by some black marks on the ivory and some fastenings on the handle. 25 September 1872 ----------------------------- John Clifton - he has nothing to say

item

Clifton, John,
Church, John,
Akers, John,
Thorne, Obed,
Tofield, Henry,
Marcham, Ezra,
Halsey, William,
Church, John,
Rodwell

DUNSTABLE, Markyate Street, Rickmansworth, Redbourn, stealing, groom, butcher, police constable, baker, Dunstable Saracens Head, fairs and markets