QSR1876/4/5/14/a

Depositions and examination - William Hudson charged with stealing a bushel and a half of potatoes from John Brown at Marston Moretaine on 14 October 1876

16 October 1876

From: 1876 To: 1876

John Brown of Marston Moretaine, farmer – he had been digging potatoes in a field adjoining Mr Gray’s premises. They were put into heaps. On 13 October Hudson had been digging potatoes for him. Potatoes have been missed from the same field on several occasions. On 14 October PC Nelson brought some potatoes to him which he believed to be his – they are Suttons red skin flour ball, very similar to a sample produced taken from a heap in his fields. They all have the same kind of soil on them. John Pickard of Marston Moretaine, platelayer employed by the London North Western Railway – on 14 October about 6am he was called to assist PC Nelson. He found him struggling with Hudson on the ground. He helped to secure Hudson. He saw a basket with a fowl and potatoes. Isaac Nelson, police constable stationed at Marston Moretaine – on 14 October he was watching near Mr Brown’s field at Marston between 4 and 5am. He saw Hudson coming along the road from Millbrook. Hudson went into Mr Brown’s fields in the direction of a potato heap. He saw Hudson stop at the heap for a few minutes. Hudson then went to Mr Grey’s premises which adjoin the field. He watched Hudson there. When Hudson returned to the road he stopped him. Hudson had a basket. When asked what was in it he said “nothing what has to do with you”. He tried to look into the basket. He struggled with Hudson. He searched the basket and found it contained potatoes. He showed them to Mr Brown who said they were similar to his. He took Hudson to Ampthill Police Station. He then went to Hudson’s lodging at Millbrook with Mr Grey. He searched Hudson’s bedroom and found a quantity of potatoes under the bed, about a bushel and a half. He showed them to Mr Brown who said they were the same sort of potatoes as his. Charles Gardner of Millbrook, labourer – he occupies a cottage at Millbrook. Hudson had been lodging with him. PC Nelson came to his house on Monday, searched Hudson’s bedroom and showed him some potatoes. He did not know Hudson had any potatoes there. They did not belong to him. The potatoes he has are a different sort altogether. William Hudson – has nothing to say

item

Hudson, William,
Brown, John,
Nelson, Isaac,
Pickard, John,
Gardner, Charles,
Gray, John

MARSTON MORETAINE, MILLBROOK, stealing, potatoes, farmer, police constable, platelayer, London North Western Railway