QSR1878/1/5/4

Depositions and examination - Thomas Hunt, charged with receiving 17 fowls belonging to George Oakley from Richard Reader at Luton on 16 September 1876 knowing them to be stolen

29 October 1877

From: 1876 To: 1878

Richard Reader of Bedford – he is a convict at Bedford Gaol under sentence of 7 years for stealing 22 fowls from the henhouse of Mr Oakley on 16 September 1876. On the morning of the 16th he went to Hunt’s house about 10am and asked if he would buy some fowls. Hunt agreed. He said he would bring the fowls and they agreed a price of 1s each. He fetched the fowls and showed them to Hunt, who said they were not worth more than 14s the lot (for 17 of them). He told Hunt plainly “you must know they are stolen or you wouldn’t offer such a price”. Hunt said that was all he could afford. He called in the afternoon and got the whole of the money. After the purchase was completed Hunt asked where he had them from and he told him Mr Oakley’s at Chiltern Green. [Cross-examined] He gave this information when he got to the Police Station. He thought it was legal and just. He went to Hunt’s house in Brown Brick and saw Hunt himself. The fowls were all dead and in a bag. He asked Hunt his price – he did not ask Hunt anything for them. Hunt examined the fowls. Their necks had been wrung. Some were large – the size varied. He thinks they were worth about 3s 6d each. He told him plainly that he had stolen them. Hunt paid him in the back kitchen of his [Hunt’s] own house. He did not meet Hunt at the Goat public house that day. [2nd cross-examination] Hunt did not make any remark after what he said. Hunt seemed to take it in earnest. He did not tell Hunt he took fowls from Maulden, he said Chiltern Green. He did not tell Hunt that he wanted some new clothes. Hunt said “I shall only give you 14s for them on the crook” – that means on the cross. David Jaquest of Luton, head constable – on Saturday 1 September 1877 about 8.15pm he went to Thomas Hunt with Supt Tydeman. He told Hunt that Reader was locked up at Hemel Hempstead and that he was informed Reader was making a clean breast of everything. He asked about the fowls Hunt had from Reader in September 1876. Hunt said he bought some from Reader but Reader told him they came from Maulden, and “it becomes every man to buy them as cheap as he can”. Hunt said “you are not going to run me in are you Jaquest”. He did not reply. [Cross-examined] Hunt did not say anything about selling. He has known Hunt 21 years. Hunt has never been here before. John Allen of Chiltern Green, police constable – on 6 September 1877 he saw Hunt at the Goat Public House. Hunt called him on one side and said “how about this fowl case” and asked for advice. He told Hunt he had better tell the truth. Hunt said he told the superintendent he had bought 13 fowls from Reader but he bought 17 and gave 15s. Hunt said Reader told him they came from Maulden and were alright, but “for God’s sake don’t run me in”. Afterwards he had a warrant against Hunt and locked him up on 1st October. The case has been remanded to get Reader the convict here. He understood from Hunt that he kept some of them hanging up until they stank. [Cross-examined] Hunt was supoanaed here to give evidence against Reader. Joseph Wright of Luton, police sergeant – on Thursday 13 Sept 1877 he went to Hunt’s house to assist PC Lazenby of Herts constabulary to execute a search warrant. Hunt said all he had received from Reader was a bag and some fowls, which he bought at 12pm and sold by 1pm. Hunt said he bought them 17 for 14s and that Reader said he bought them at Maulden. Edmund Tydeman of Luton, superintendent of police – agrees with Jaquest’s evidence. When he served the summons on him Hunt said “Thank God it is no worse. I did not know where they came from for 6 months after I bought them.” This conversation took place more than 12 months after the fowls were stolen. Thomas Hunt - he has nothing to say and no witnesses to call.

item

Hunt, Thomas,
Reader, Richard,
Oakley, George,
Jaquest, David,
Allen, John,
Wright, Joseph,
Tydeman, Edmund

LUTON, Chiltern Green, receiving stolen goods, fowls, police sergeant, police superintendent, police constable, Luton Goat