QSR1887/2/5/7

Depositions of George Taylor, labourer of Henlow and John Olden, police constable of Henlow. In the case of George Braybrooks accused of stealing 3 live rabbits.

23 March 1887

From: 1887 To: 1887

George Taylor: a labourer of Henlow and keeper of rabbits. On 17 March about 6.30pm he fed all 5 rabbits which were in their own hutch at the back of the house. The following evening he found one of the board’s broken and 3 rabbits missing. He was able to identify the live rabbit, the dead rabbit and the rabbit skin as the missing rabbits. [cross examination] the defendant did buy a rabbit from him 3 weeks previously but it was not one of these rabbits. He had asked for a shilling for the rabbit and the defendant offered 11d and asked him to keep the others at 1d a week for their keep. He did not agreed to keep them for him and after a week he considered it the end of the matter. PC John Olden: on the morning of 18 March he went to the Gardener’s Arms public house at Henlow where he saw the prisoner working in the garden. A bag was lying near him and he searched the bag and found a live rabbit. He asked the prisoner of it and the prisoner said he had paid for it. He was charged and conveyed to Biggleswade police station. The dead rabbit and skin were found a coat nearby. [cross examination] the coat was in a barn about 20 yards from where the prisoner was working. Statement of the accused: he was not guilty of stealing them. He had been in the Gardeners Arms about a quarter to 10 and went home. He fell asleep in the house and was not drunk but had had plenty of beer. He did not get up until 6 or 7am. His wife was very much against him and they wanted a parting. He had no witnesses.

5 pages

item

Braybrooks, George,
Taylor, George,
Olden, John

HENLOW, stealing, rabbits, Henlow Gardeners Arms