QSR1877/1/5/5

Depositions and examination - George Seymour charged with stealing one calico sheet value 3s from George Charles at Stotfold on 26 October 1876

15 November 1876

From: 1876 To: 1877

Ellen Charles, wife of George Charles of Stotfold, labourer – on Thursday 26 October she hung out a quantity of linen on some clothes lines in her close. The linen included 5 sheets and a large table cloth. She hung them out between 9 and 10am. Between 7 and 8pm that evening she went to fetch them in and she missed a couple of sheets, one linen and the other calico. The sheets produced by PC Hebbes are the same. They were clean when hung out but one has been used. She saw that one on Seymour’s bed on Friday 27th. She saw the other sheet on Mr Morris’ premises on 28th October. They are worth 7s. The calico one is worth 3s. [Cross-examined] Her husband is a straw factor. She was out all day and did not notice the linen. She never accused anyone of taking the sheets. She did not go to Seymour and ask if Saunderton had the sheets. Mrs Seymour was confined the same day. She and PC Hebbes went up into Mrs Seymour’s bedroom after Mrs Albone who was nursing her said she might. After she identified the sheet she called to Hebbes to take it into his possession. She identified the sheets by certain marks. Thomas Hebbes of Stotfold, police constable – on Friday 27th October he went with Mrs Charles to George Seymour’s house at Stotfold. Mrs Charles went upstairs, then called him. He went up on to the landing. Mrs Charles pointed to a sheet on the bed and said it was hers. He went downstairs directly and Mrs Charles brought down the calico sheet. He apprehended Seymour at his house on Friday evening and charged him with stealing 2 sheets from George Charles. Seymour denied knowing anything about it. He received the linen sheet produced from Thomas Morris of Stotfold on Saturday 28 October.[Cross-examined] The second sheet was not found in Seymour’s possession. Annotated: The charge of stealing the linen sheet was now dismissed and the case proceeded as regards the calico one. George Seymour – he would rather have it settled before a jury. He is not guilty.

item

Seymour, George,
Charles, George,
Hebbes, Thomas,
Morris, Thomas,
Albone

STOTFOLD, stealing, household goods, police constable, childbirth