QSR1884/1/5/3-4

Depositions of James Mead, innkeeper of Aston Abbott, Willoughby Stuart Shearman, son of a hotel keeper of Linslade, Charles Butcher, bricklayer of Leighton Buzzard, Thomas Ruffhead, police constable of Leighton Buzzard, John Olden, police sergeant of Leighton Buzzard and Edward Janes, cattle dealer of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of Albert Warnes & Philip Webster accused of stealing 50 cigars.

24 December 1883

From: 1883 To: 1884

James Mead: on 21 December he had been in Leighton Buzzard and on his way home he stopped at the Bridge Hotel between 10.30 and 11pm. He left his cart outside and went inside. This cart had a box of 50 cigars in a box. He was alone and he did not leave his horse in anyone’s charge. In consequence of information from Shearman he went and looked at his cart. He found the cigars gone. He had been in the house about a quarter of an hour. He had bought eh cigars from Mr Green the grocer. Willoughby Stuart Shearman: the son of a hotel keeper in Linslade. On 21 December he had been passing the Bridge Hotel and saw a horse and cart standing opposite the hotel. Just before the cart, Warnes was standing opposite the next house to the hotel. As he passed Warnes, turned and followed him. Shearman turned back as saw Warnes on the cart, standing on the hub of the wheel. He saw Warnes get off the cart and go towards Leighton Buzzard. Shearman went back to the Bridge hotel and informed Mead of what he had seen. He went with Mead up Friday Street after Warnes but they could to find him. He knew it was Mead’s cart but the dog lying under it. Charles Butcher: a bricklayer residing in Bassett’s Row in Leighton Buzzard. On 21 December he went to Linslade with Warnes. As they were coming back they met Webster near Stone’s the butchers. They stopped opposite Kings Foundry and talked. Webster said he had to go to the station and left. Butcher went with Warnes to the Bedford Arms pubic house. They came away towards Leighton at about 10.30pm. He wished Warnes goodnight just before the Bridge hotel. As he walked passed the Bridge hotel he saw a cart standing opposite the hotel. He met the witness Shearman opposite the Ewe & Lamb and met Webster in Friday Street. Whilst talking to Webster, Warnes came running up and was out of breath. Warnes said he had got something and they went further up Friday Street to Black Horse Lane. There Warnes produced a box. There were no lamps. Warnes gave him 11 cigars from the box and gave 6 cigars to Webster. Warnes did not say where he had got them from. He parted from the other 2 men and went home. Warnes and Webster went in the direction of Warnes house. Later that night Sergeant Olden and PC Ruffhead called on him and he gave them the cigars. Thomas Ruffhead: he was advised of the loss of the cigars. He went with Sergeant Olden to Warnes’s residence in Queen Street. Olden advised Warnes they had come to arrest him and they wished to search the house. Ruffhead went upstairs and remained with the prisoner whilst he dressed. Between the bed and mattress Ruffhead found 32 cigars. Warnes’s was formally charged. The prisoner said he did not have all the cigars and stated where the others were. Ruffhead went with Olden to Webster’s house in Linslade and he was also charged. They searched Webster’s house but could not find the cigars. They then obtained 11 cigars from Butcher. John Olden: On 21 December he charged Warnes with stealing a box of cigars. Ruffhead searched upstairs and found 32 cigars. Warnes was arrested. He and Ruffhead then went to Webster’s house and charged him. Webster said he did not have any cigars and none were found when the house was searched. Webster was taken into custody. They went on to Butcher’s house were he gave them 11 cigars. Edward Janes: a cattle dealer and he had been at the Bridge Hotel whilst Mead had been there. He saw Mead and Shearman go off in the cart. Later he was going down Friday Street and saw Webster alone going towards Linslade. Statement of the accused – Albert Warnes: he had been with Webster and Butcher. Webster and Butcher stopped at Scriveners gate and said they would watch. He went and took the box out of the cart and then met the other 2 at the end of the lane. Webster said they should not look at them there but go to Black Horse Lane. He opened the box and gave 12 cigars to Butcher and gave Webster 6. Webster said that was enough as he didn’t smoke and would sell his. Butcher then left and Webster went home with him. Webster suggested hey hide the cigars. They bid each other goodnight and parted. Philip Webster: he met Butcher at Back Lane and was asked if he was going home. He said he was. Warnes ran up to them and said he had something. They went to Back Lane and opened the box. Warnes gave Butcher 12 cigars and him 6. He went home with Warnes, wished him goodnight and came away.

10 pages

item

Warnes, Albert,
Webster, Philip,
Mead, James,
Shearman, Willoughby Stuart,
Butcher, Charles,
Ruffhead, Thomas,
Olden, John,
Janes, Edward

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, LINSLADE, Aston Abbots, stealing, innkeeper, hotel keeper, bricklayer, cattle dealer, Leighton Buzzard Bridge Hotel, Leighton Buzzard Friday Street, Leighton Buzzard Black Horse Lane