Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1883/4/5/12
  • Title
    Depositions of Charles Brittain, labourer of Old Warden, his wife Jane Brittain, Thomas Stock, police constable of Southill, William John Rolls, pawnbroker of Bedford and William Lee, police constable of Bedford. In the case of James Finley accused of breaking and entering and therein stealing a silver watch and chain.
  • Date free text
    30 August 1883
  • Production date
    From: 1883 To: 1883
  • Scope and Content
    Charles Brittain: a labourer residing at Old Warden. On 30 August, he got up about 5am to go to work and left his watch hanging on the wall over the bed. He missed them about 10pm. Jane Brittain: wife of Charles. On 30 August about 12.30pm she fastened the windows and door and went out to take her husband his dinner. About ½ a mile from the house she met the prisoner on the road. She returned just over an hour later and about 4pm she discovered a pane of glass taken from the back bedroom window. The fastening was closed to where the pane had been taken out. She saw footprints in the bedroom on the counterpane. Her husband returned about 7pm and they missed the watch ob going to bed about 10pm. Thomas Stock: on 31 August he was advised on the case and went to the house where he found the pane of glass had been taken out and the watch and chain stolen. He proceeded to Bedford where he found the watch and chain in the possession of Mr Rolls, the pawnbroker. He afterwards found the prisoner in custody at the Borough Police Station. He charged him and conveyed him to Biggleswade. On the road Finley said the evidence was so clear against him he thought it not use to go against it. William John Rolls: on 30 August the prisoner brought a watch and chain to his shop and had 9 shillings against it. William Lee: from information received he sought the prisoner whom he found at the eating house in Silver Street. He took the prisoner into custody and the prisoner said he had made a mistake. On searching the prisoner he found a pawn ticket. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.
  • Reference
  • Level of description
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