QSR1883/4/5/6a,7a

Depositions of William Rowe of Battlesden, his wife Maria Rowe and James Busby, police constable of Hockcliffe. In the case of William Roberts & John Smith for break and entering a dwelling house.

17 August 1883

From: 1883 To: 1883

Maria Rowe: wife of William and residing in Battlesden Lodge. The prisoners were strangers to her. On 10 August she and her husband were away from the house. Her husband came to her at her mothers, at about 6.30pm, to tell her something had happened. They returned to the house and found all the rooms in disorder. The pantry window was broken. Upon searching she missed some money, a brooch, some scissors, a watch chain, a knife, a thimble, a keeper ring, a tape measure, some bread, some herrings, a razor, a silver token and a piece of soap. William Rowe: He left his house to go to work and retuned about 6.25pm. He found the house had been broken into and the pantry window broken. He went to Hockcliffe to fetch his wife. His wife went home and he went to inform the police. He went with the police in search of the prisoners and examined the window carefully. There were marks made by a screwdriver. He went with the constable to the Fox & Hounds to make enquiries and then on to Little Brickhill and there found the prisoners at a public house. They were taken into custody. On searching the prisoners they found 4 farthings and a further 2 farthings had been given in exchange for beer at the public house in Sheep Lane. James Busby: on 10 August he was informed of the robbery and went to the prosecutor’s house to examine it. There were marks on the woodwork of the pantry window by made a small instrument. He went with Rowe to the Fox & Hounds and found 2 young men had been there. He ascertained they had bought a pint off ales for which they had paid 2 penny pieces and a penny worth of tobacco for which they paid with a half penny and 2 farthings. He went on to Little Brickhill and found the men in the public house. He told Roberts he wished to search him and found a knife and a pair of scissors. He searched Smith and found a razor, knife, brooch, thimble, ring, chain, tape measure, soap, 2 sixpences, a silver token and 3 pence in coopers. The men were taken into custody and charged. The next day he matched the marks on the pantry to a screwdriver found on Roberts. Statement of the accused – William Roberts: He had never had the screw driver on him. Johh Smith: nothing to say.

item

Roberts, William,
Smith, John,
Rowe, William,
Rowe, Maria,
Busby, James

BATTLESDEN, breaking & entering, household goods, Little Brickhill, Battlesden Lodge