QSR1874/4/5/4-5

Depositions and examinations - James Davison and Samuel alias James Leason of Harlington, labourers, charged with stealing one axe, one carpenter's rule, two earthenware beer bottles and one drinking glass, together worth 10s, from David Birch at Harlington on 29th September 1874.

6 October 1874

From: 1874 To: 1874

David Birch of Hockliffe, sawyer – he has a work shed at Harlington close to the railway. On 20 September he was at work on the rail up to about 7pm. He left work, leaving his tools under the shed. It was an open shed about 100 yards from the station. Then next morning he went to the shed about 6am and missed his axe and rule. He made inquiries but could hear nothing of them. Information was given to the police. He has since identified the rule which is the one produced. The bottles and glass produced are similar to those he lost. [Cross-examined] He had been working at Harlington about a fortnight. They worked under the saw pit shed. The bottles were under the shed and the rule. He has had the rule for 2 years. It is worth 2s. Charles Champkin of Tebworth, sawyer – on 29 September he was at work with David Birch on the line at Harlington. They left work at 7pm, leaving their tools under a shed about 100 yards from the station and about 20 yards from the line. Anybody who went by with a light could see the items. The next morning they went to the shed. Birch said he had lost his rule. He went to look for the axe. The axe was also gone, with the bottles and a glass. They searched but could not find them. The shed belongs to Mr Stevens of Tebworth. No fence separates the shed from the rail. The shed is quite open. Eli Bayes, police constable stationed at Harlington – on 30 September about 12pm he received information from Birch that he had lost one axe, one rule, 2 stone jars and a beer glass from a saw pit at Harlington on the previous night. That same afternoon he went to Wellingborough and apprehended the 2 prisoners there, both at home in bed. He asked Leason for the stolen property. The rule was handed to him by Leeson’s wife, who also gave him the bottle and glass produced. Leeson said he found them by the side of the pit. He asked for the axe and the other jar. Leason said that was all he had and his mate had the jar and axe for his share. He took Leason into custody and asked him to show him where his mate lived. He went into Davison’s house and a Wellingborough constable went upstairs and came down with Davison. Before they got down he opened the pantry door and found the jar with the hand on which he now produces. He told Davison he had found it. Davison said “I know nought about it”. He asked Davison for the axe. Davison denied knowing anything about it. When told Leason (who was present) said he had the axe and jar for his share Davison still said he knew nothing about it. He took Davison into custody. William Newbury of Harlington Station, points man – he lives in a cottage at Harlington. On 29 September he was on duty from 6pm until 7am the next morning. He saw neither of the prisoners. An engine arrived at Harlington Stations at 10.17 and shunted for a passenger train to pass. It stayed about an hour. He can’t say who was driving the engine. James Davison – “I am not guilty” Samuel alias James Leeson – “I am not guilty”.

item

Davison, James,
Leason, Samuel,
Leason, James,
Birch, David,
Champkin, Charles,
Bayes, Eli,
Newbury, William

HARLINGTON, HOCKLIFFE, Tebworth, Wellingborough, stealing, tools, sawyer, police constable, railway worker, Harlington station