QSR1876/3/5/8

Depositions and examination - William Baker of Eversholt, charged with stealing 11s from the person of Samuel Dudley at Tingrith on 26 May 1876

2 June 1876

From: 1876 To: 1876

Samuel Dudley of Westoning, bricklayer – on 26 May he was at the Swan Public House at Tingrith between 7 and 8pm. Baker was there and others including Daniel Kingham, Henry Kingham and Whitman. They were sitting in the tap room. Baker was standing near the window. Baker came and sat by his side once. He found he had lost 11s from his right hand jacket pocket. Baker was in the house when he came in and obtained change for 10s. He had a sovereign and 19s in silver loose in his pocket altogether. Daniel Kingham called him out and told him something. He felt in his pocket and missed the 11s. He went back into the tap room and Baker was gone. The next day he gave information to the police. [Cross-examined] He is in Mr Hill’s employ at Tingrith and received his wages £1 19s 6d at 6.10pm that evening at his house. He went straight from there to the Swan. He stayed at the Swan about 2 hours. He did not go out until he was called out by Kingham. He did not go into the Park after he received his money. He was sober when he received it, at least near enough to know what he was about. He had been lying down in the Park before. A man named Thomas Brashier spoke to him there. Others came into the tap room after he got there. There were many there when he lost the money. Young Mr William Brinklow changed the 10s for him. He received 9s 6d after paying 6d for some stout. He is sure he put the change in his pocket. He has not told anyone that he did not, nor that it was taken off the table. He had a conversation the next day with Baker’s mother about the matter. She told her he put the change in his pocket. Baker’s father came in while he was there. Daniel Kingham sat opposite him in the taproom. Baker sat on his right hand side. He moved to a chair part of the time and passed close by other people. After he lost his money he saw Baker pay for some beer. He knows David Brazier. He spoke to him the next day about the matter. He told him he had lost 11s. He does not remember saying he had lost 3s 6d or 7s 6d. Daniel Kingham of Westoning, labourer – on 26 May he was at the Swan. Baker and Dudley were drinking together. There were a dozen there besides. Dudley was standing about the middle of the room and he was sitting nearly opposite. Baker was near the window and asked Dudley to give him the pot. Dudley told him to come and fetch it. Baker went and stood by Dudley on his right hand side. He saw Baker put his left hand into Dudley’s right hand coat pocket, take it out again and put it into his own left hand trouser pocket. Baker’s hand was closed and he could not see whether there was anything in it. Baker went back to the window, ordered beer and then left. He told Dudley. He called Whitman’s attention to it. Dudley searched and said he had lost some money, but he did not hear how much. Dudley had had beer, but knew what he was about. [Cross-examined] He did not know Baker until that night. He did not see Dudley go near anyone else or go out. There was some joking going on. He had not had more than a pint. He saw Dudley pick up the change from the table. Samuel Whitman of Steppingley, shoemaker – on 26 May between 6 and 8pm he was at the Swan. He was sitting by the side of Daniel Kingham. Baker and Dudley and several others were there. Kingham called his attention and he saw Baker with his left hand in Dudley’ right hand coat pocket. Kingham told Dudley. Dudley searched his pocked and counted his money. There was a sovereign, one half crown, 2 shillings, sixpence and a threepenny bit. Baker left very soon after this. He ordered some beer before he left. [Cross-examined] Dudley was rather confused about his money. Both Baker and Dudley had been drinking. No complaint was made to Baker by Dudley. William Baker – “I am not guilty”.

item

Baker, William,
Dudley, Samuel,
Kingham, Daniel,
Whitman, Samuel,
Brashier, Thomas,
Brinklow, William,
Hill

EVERSHOLT, TINGRITH, WESTONING, STEPPINGLEY, pickpocket, bricklayer, shoemaker, Tingrith Swan