QSR1887/3/5/1

Depositions of John Olden, police sergeant of Leighton Buzzard, William Gilbert of Leighton Buzzard and Charles Huey, butcher's assistant of Leighton Buzzard, Lizzie Read, single woman of Leighton Buzzard, Charles Yirrell, butcher and farmer of Leighton Buzzard, George Abrahams, carman of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of George Collyer accused of stealing 56lbs of sheet lead, 16lbs of old iron and 7 pence halfpenny.

28 June 1887

From: 1887 To: 1887

Charles Huey: employed by Mr Charles Yirell of Leighton Buzzard as a butcher’s assistant. Yirell occupied a farm in Blackhorse Lane and Huey would attend the cattle on the farm and was often there. He had seen a quantity of lead and iron lying about the barn in the farm. There were 2 pieces of lead sheet and pieces of iron gate, hooks and hinges, all of the iron old and rusty. He had seen it there since Christmas. One Monday he noticed the lead and iron gone and informed his master. All of the iron was brought back to the farm by William Brantom’s men, the day after he had missed it. Sergeant Olden subsequently fetched the lead away. The defendant worked for Yirrell on the farm after Christmas until he was apprehended on another charge. William Gilbert: he lived with Mr Custey in Leighton Buzzard and was 13 years old. He knew Mr Yirrell’s farm and there was a meadow at the back of the farmhouse with a wall round it. On day after Christmas he saw the defendant get over the wall into the field. The defendant had a handkerchief with something in it and some old iron in the other hand. Collyer dropped off the wall quite close to him and went down the footpath. He followed him and saw him go into Mr Brantom’s shop. It was between 10.30 and 11am. Lizzie Read: during January she was taking care of Mr Brantom’s shop in North Street. The defendant brought some lead to the shop on 2 occasions. On 7 January he brought 26lbs of lead, which she purchased. She could not recall the date when he next returned but he brought with him 30lbs which she bought at the same rate. She did not recall seeing him bring in any iron. The lead was returned to Mr Yirrell’s farm by George Abrahams. The lead produced was that which she referred to. Charles Yirrell: a butcher and farmer occupying a farm in Black Horse Lane, Leighton Buzzard. The defendant had worked on the farm, on and off. On 2 January, from what he was told, he went to William Brantom’s shop and informed him of the lead having been taken. The lead was the property of Henry Pettit, and so was the iron. Pettit was the landlord. George Abrahams: a carman in the employment of William Brantom. On 25 January, by Mr Brantom’s direction, he took a quantity of lead and iron to Mr Yirrell’s farm. He put it in the spot pointed out to him by Huey. John Olden: on 4 February he went to Mr Yirell’s barn and took possession of the lead and iron. He weighed the lead at 56 lbs and the iron at 16lbs. The lead and iron together were worth 3s 7 ½d. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Collyer, George,
Olden, John,
Gilbert, William,
Huey, Charles,
Read, Lizzie,
Yirrell, Charles,
Abrahams, George,
Brantom, William,
Pettit, Henry

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Leighton Buzzard Black Horse Lane, stealing, lead