QSR1873/1/5/4

Depositions and examination - Charles Fensome charged with stealing a quantity of holly value 1s 6d from William Champkin of Dunstable, butcher, on 18 December

24 December 1872

From: 1872 To: 1873

William Champkin of Dunstable, butcher - on 18 December between 8 and 9pm he had some holly he was going to take into his home the Rose and Crown when Charles Fensome took it away from him and ran away with it. He ran after Fensome who gave him the holly back. Fensome then took it again and ran off with it. He gave information to the police and went with PC Tofield to Fensome's house. He saw the holly in Tofield's possession when he came downstairs. He values the holly at 1s 6d. It was berried well then. [Cross-examined] He bought the holly from Plummer and gave 6d for it. He bought it between 8 and 9 at the Swan with Two Necks. Inwards was larking with him outside the Rose and Crown. When Fensome gave him the holly back he did not throw it down and say he would not have it. George Cooper - he is a labourer living at the Swan with Two Necks. He saw Champkin buy some holly at the Swan with Two Necks about a week ago. He bought it from Mr Rudd's shepherd. He saw Champkin pay for it and take it out of doors and go to the door of the Rose & Crown. [Cross-examined] Champkin gave 6d for the holly. He saw Fensome take the holly and saw Inwards there. Henry Tofield PC - he saw Fensome run away from Champkin with some holly. He went to Fensome's house and found the holly produced in the backroom upstairs. [Cross-examined] There were a lot of boys running after Fensome. He thought it was a lark at the time. Charles Fensome (by his attorney) - if the magistrates think there is a for trial they would wish it tried by a jury. - "It was but a lark"

item

Fensome, Charles,
Champkin, William,
Cooper, George,
Tofield, Henry,
Inwards,
Rudd

DUNSTABLE, stealing, holly, butcher, shepherd, Dunstable Rose & Crown, Dunstable Swan With Two Necks