QSR1878/3/5/1-2

Depositions and examination - Thomas Miller and Thomas Greenwell, both of Potsgrove,labourers, charged with stealing 2 half crowns, 3 shillings, one small bag or purse and one pocket knife from the person of James Hines at Potsgrove on 10 April 1878

17 April 1878

From: 1878 To: 1878

James Hines of Tebworth in Chalgrave, labourer – he is 15 years old and lives with his parents at Tebworth. He works for Mr Stevens a timber merchant at Tebworth. On 10 April he was coming home from Buckingham with his master’s timber cart with James Kingham and his son. Near Sheep Lane he stopped behind and the cart got about 500 yards ahead of him. They were travelling on the old turnpike road. The two prisoners came up the road from the direction of Sheep Lane together. Miller caught hold of him by his coat in front, put his hand into his trouser pockets, and took his money and a knife. The bag and knife produced are the ones he lost. He said “let me be” and Miller said “you are all right”. Greenwell stood about 3 yards off and did not touch him or say anything. When Miller had taken the things he looked into the bag and said to Greenwell “we had better go”. They both went off together towards Brickhill. He saw a man (Field) coming towards him from Brickhill and hollered to him to stop the prisoners as they had his money. When Field started after them the prisoners left the road and ran across the fields. [Cross-examined] Miller rolled him on his back and searched both his pockets. Greenwell did not ask where he lived or whether he had any money. George Field of Sheep Lane in Potsgrove, labourer – he was coming down the old turnpike road from Brickhill to Sheep Lane. He saw the prisoners in the road about 500 yards off. They passed him and Miller asked how far it was to Stony Stratford. He heard someone calling. He went on and found Hines lying by the side of the road crying with his right hand trouser pocket inside out. He went after the prisoners. They were out of sight – they were not in the road, if they had stayed in the road he must have seen them. James Page Chapman of Potsgrove, police constable – on 11 April he went to Towcester in search of the prisoners and found them at a public house. He charged them with the offence and apprehended and searched them. On Miller he found a 2 shilling piece, 2 shillings and 2 halfpence, a small bag and a pocket knife. On Greenwell he found a sixpenny piece and 2 pence in copper. Miller said he took them out of the boy’s pocket. Greenwell said he had nothing to do with it. Miller said Greenwell was with him and shared it. Thomas Miller – he only searched one of Hines’ pockets. Hines was lying on his left side. He put his hand into his pockets and out came the little bag and a pocket knife. He put the bag in his pocket and Greenwell said “let’s get away as quick as we can”. They walked away and passed Field who tod them it was 11 miles to Stony Stratford. After they passed him Greenwell said “let’s run or he will come after us”. They ran and walked until they got to Stony Stratford where they lodged at the Fox and Hounds. Next day the policeman arrested them at the Bell Inn in a place he does not know the name of. Thomas Greenwell – after they left Hines he asked Miller what he had taken. When they reached Stony Stratford they lodged at the Fox and Hounds where Miller paid the lodging and gave him 1s 7d. He told Miller he would have him arrested if he did not give him more. A quarrel nearly arose and the landlady said she would fetch a constable if they were not quiet. The next morning he laid 9½d out for breakfast and 4d for a pair of boots which he bought of the landlady. Going along the next morning Miller offered him 4½d which he refused to take. Miller later offered it to him again. He took it and another ½d Miller gave him. Miller told him to put 3 halfpence to it and get a pint of beer. He spent 3d in the public house and another ½d going through the town. In the house where they were arrested Miller gave him another penny. Miller put another penny to it and paid for a pint. Then they were arrested.

item

Miller, Thomas,
Greenwell, Thomas,
Hines, James,
Field, George,
Chapman, James Page,
Kingham, James,
Stevens

POTSGROVE, Tebworth, Sheep Lane, Stony Stratford, Towcester, pickpocket, police constables, timber merchants, Towcester Bell, Stony Stratford Fox & Hounds