QSR1886/4/5/6

Depositions of George Baker, baker and corndealer of Toddington, George Brown, labourer of Toddington, Thomas Horley, innkeeper of Toddington and William Whinnett, police sergeant of Toddington. In the case of George Skinner accused of stealing a horse.

8 September 1886

From: 1886 To: 1886

George Baker: on 4 September he had a horse, iron grey in colour, in his field on the Milton Road. The gate to the field was locked. He was away from home on the morning of 4th, returning to Toddington about 4.30pm. He stopped at the Sow & Pigs and saw his horse in the stable. From what he was told he put Skinner in the charge of the police. He asked Skinner why he had taken the horse and Skinner replied he was taking it to Barnet fair to sell. The 4th was the first day of the Barnet fair. Skinner had not bought the horse from him. George Brown: a labourer employed by George Baker. On 4 September he went to Mr Baker’s field to see the cattle about 3.20pm and met Skinner coming across the field leading a horse by its halter. He asked where Skinner was going with the horse and Skinner told him he would let him know with the stick and threatened to knock him down. He asked Skinner to take the horse back but he went on with it. Brown locked the field gates so Skinner could not get the horse out and went for the police. He found Sergeant Whinnett and went with him towards the field. They found the horse at the Sow & Pigs. Brown returned to the field and found the locks broken. The defendant was in the field trying to catch the other horse. The gate had not been locked at 3.20pm but the inner field was locked where the horse was. The defendant had lifted the gate from its hinges. Thomas Horley: landlord of the Sow & Pigs public house in Toddington. On 4 September he saw the witness Brown and from what he was told he watched and saw Skinner open Mr Baker’s gate and go into the field. Horley then went home. He later saw Skinner walk by with Mr Baker’s horse. Horley took the horse from Skinner and put it in his stable. He told Skinner he would be locked up and Skinner replied “let them lock me up”. Skinner returned towards the field. William Whinnett: on 4 September he was approached by Brown and from the information received they went to the Sow & Pigs where they found Mr Baker’s horse. There proceeded to Mr Baker’s field where they found the prisoner trying to catch a horse. The defendant had a bag with some hay in it. Asked what he was doing, Skinner replied he was trying to catch the mare and they would not let him have the other one. Skinner was taken into custody. Skinner said he had taken the horse and was going to sell it at Barnet fair. Asked why he had done it, Skinner replied he had not eaten all day and care not what he did. Later on the road to the station, Skinner said he had bought the horse for 60 guineas. Skinner said he had broken the lock on the field with a crowbar. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

7 pages

item

Skinner, George,
Baker, George,
Brown, George,
Horley, Thomas,
Whinnett, William

TODDINGTON, stealing animals, horses, baker, corndealer, innkeeper, Toddington Sow & Pigs