QSR1874/1/5/11

Depositions and examination - William Richardson, charged with stealing coal valued at 4s from William Robinson Robinson at Cockayne Hatley on 8 December 1873

17 December 1873

From: 1873 To: 1874

James Leonard – he is coachman to Mr Robinson of Hatley House. Richardson was bringing coals to Mr Robinson’s house. Richardson had a cart and was supposed to empty it. As Richardson went out he looked in his cart and saw about 3cwt of coals. He followed Richardson and told him Mr Robinson wanted to speak to him. Richardson wanted to leave his cart and come back alone. He said Richardson must bring his cart back and he did so. Mr Robinson asked Richardson who gave him authority to take the coal away. Richardson said he had no idea there was any coal in the cart, but he had a light given to him to see to empty the coals. This was about 5.30pm on 8 December. William Robinson said that he would have the law on Richardson – Richardson said he hoped he would not. Richardson brought the coals back and left them. When he went to Richardson he was in the park on his way home. The value of the coal was 4s. There was a sack put over the coals as the sack went out of the yard. William Grey Robinson – he lives at Cockayne Hatley house with his father. On 8th December 1873 about 5.30pm he went out of the front door. He found William Richardson there with his cart. Leonard told him he suspected Richardson and went and fetched him back. He looked in the cart and saw some coals with a sack thrown over. Richardson at first said there were no coals and then muttered something. He had the coals taken to the yard and turned out. There were between 2 and 3 cwt. He told Richardson he would prosecute him. William Robinson Robinson – he lives at Cockayne Hatley House. Early in December he ordered a truck of coal from Exhall Colliery to be delivered at Potton Station. He arranged with a man named Jennings to cart the coals for him from Potton Station to his house, a distance of 2 miles. The truck contained over 7 tons. The first 6 loads were brought by 3 men, each man having two loads. The last load was brought by Richardson alone. From information he received he went down the road from his house towards Potton and searched the ditch on the road side. He found several large lumps of coal in the ditch. After a time he saw Richardson come from the direction of his house. He stopped Richardson and made him take the coal out of the ditch, put it in his cart and bring it back to his house. A man named Larkins was in the cart with Richardson, who said he asked Richardson to give him a ride. Richardson objected but Larkins insisted on having a ride to Potton. At his house he met his son and his servant who told him that Richardson had retained a quantity of coals in his cart and had been brought back and made to unload it. He went and looked at the heap and saw about 3 cwt of coals which Richardson had taken away. This was in addition to the lumps of coal he found in the ditch which and made Richardson bring back. Altogether Richardson stole between 5 and 6cwt. William Richardson – asked for trial at Quarter Sessions. Did not wish to say anything.

item

Richardson, William,
Robinson, William Robinson,
Leonard, James,
Robinson, William Grey

Cockayne Hatley, POTTON, stealing, coal, coachman, rail transport, Potton station