QSR1874/1/5/9-10/b

Depositions and examinations - Benjamin Rowe, Robert Sinfield and Joseph Birch of Battlesden, charged with stealing 3 live fowls from George Harris at Battlesden on 24 December 1873

1 January 1874

From: 1873 To: 1874

William Bunker of Hockliffe, innkeeper – he knows all three prisoners. On 23 December about 8pm Rowe and Sinfield came into his house. Rowe said he had 2 old hens to sell. He asked where Rowe bought them. Rowe said he bought them from Rayne’s father at Sheep Lane, that he took them home a week last Monday and he was obliged to sell them as there was a bother about keeping them. Rowe said he wanted 1s 4d a piece for them. He told Rowe to bring them. Sinfield heard all that was said. They came in together and had beer together. The next day between 6 and 7am they both came to his house again with the fowls in a bag. He paid Rowe 3 shillings for all three, with the bag. Rowe and Sinfield had beer together, drank it and left together. Rowe told him he bought and paid for the fowls. About 10 minutes later Birch came to his window and asked if he had any fowls to sell. Birch was alone. He told Birch he had bought 3 fowls and would sell them to him. He showed Birch the fowls and said he thought there was something wrong about them. Birch said he knew they bought the fowls from a man at Tebworth. He asked Birch for 3s 6d. Birch offered 3s. 3d. He said he would not sell and Birch left. He gave information to PC Busby. On his way to the policemen he saw the 3 prisoners together, standing at Church Lane Corner near his house. One of the prisoners offered him 3s 6d for the fowls. He told them he would return in ¼ hour and would sell them again. On his return he met Rowe and Sinfield. One of them said Birch would have the fowls at the price. They said Birch had gone to the butcher’s. He said he would not sell. He gave the three fowls to PC Busby. They were the fowls he bought from Rowe and Sinfield. George Harris of Battlesden, farmer – Rowe and Sinfield are in his employ. Birch lives at Battlesden. He has no doubt the three fowls produced are his, though he had not missed any. They are worth 6s. On Xmas day PC Busby came to him and asked if he had missed any fowls. He came in the evening with the fowls produced which he identified. On 27 December Rowe was brought to him. He asked who Rowe bought the fowls of and when. Rowe said he bought them on Wednesday at Tebworth. Rowe later said he did not buy them, but picked them up in his (Harris’s) yard, put them in a back and placed them in some straw in the rick yard. Later he sent for Sinfield and asked if he went to Hockliffe with Rowe. Sinfield said he did. He asked if Rowe had a bag. Sinfield. Sinfield said he did, and that he knew there were fowls in it which they were going to take to Hockliffe. Sinfield said they did not go into the house to have beer but went to Hockliffe after his father. James Busby, police constable stationed at Hockliffe – on 24 December about 8pm Bunker informed him he had bought 3 hens from Rowe and Sinfield. He took possession of the hens and showed them to Mr Harris. Bunker was satisfied they were his fowls. On 26 December he arrested Rowe and Sinfield. He charged them with stealing 3 fowls on 24 December form their master’s farm and selling them to Bunker. They did not reply. He took Rowe to Mr Harris. Rowe said he and Sinfield caught them in the stack yard, and put them in a bag with some straw. Rowe said he sold them to Bunker for 3s and gave Sinfield half the money. On 27 December he saw Birch and said he would want him as a witness as he had been told he went to Bunker’s on 24 December to buy some fowls. Birch said he never mentioned fowls to Bunker or saw any fowls there, and never told Bunker where the chaps bought the fowls from. He apprehended Birch on a warrant charging him with aiding and abetting Howe and Sinfield stealing the fowls. Birch said he had nothing to do with stealing them. He produces the three fowls he received from Bunker. Benjamin Rowe – does not wish to say anything Robert Sinfield – does not wish to say anything Joseph Birch – he has nothing to say. He went to Bunker’s to buy the fowls back to keep the others out of any bother. Bunker asked if he wanted to see the fowls. He said no. He went in for beer and asked what he wanted for them. Bunker said 3s 6d. He said he would not have them then and left [Annotated: “Joseph Birch discharged”]

item

Rowe, Benjamin,
Sinfield, Robert,
Birch, Joseph,
Harris, George,
Bunker, William,
Busby, James

BATTLESDEN, HOCKLIFFE, Tebworth, Sheep Lane, stealing animals, fowls, farmer, innkeeper, police constable