QSR1887/4/5/5

Depositions of George Philpot, labourer of Luton, Charles Rogers, inspector of police of Luton and William Ormond, foreman bailiff of Farley Farm of Luton. In the case of Frederick Gilbert accused of stealing a live fowl.

24 August 1887

From: 1887 To: 1887

William Ormond: foreman bailiff to J.S. Crawley of Stockwood. On 23 August, in the park opposite Farley Farm, he saw the prisoner behind a tree in the park. He was plucking a fowl. He got within 30 yards and then rode up to him. Gilbert put the fowl under his coat. He identified the fowl as 1887 pullet grey dorking belonging to Mr Crawley. Gilbert got away with the fowl and ran down the road into the allotment gardens with it. He rode down hill and met Inspector Rogers. He saw the prisoner again and rode after him until he got to a wire fence which he could not pass. He also met the Head Constable. He saw the prisoner in custody and they all went back to the tree where they found feathers. George Philpot: on 23 August he had been at work in Farley Road. He went to the park and saw the prisoner behind the tree. He saw Mr Crawley’s man with a donkey and cart crossing the park. The prisoner shifted behind the tree to be out of sight. He then saw Mr Ormond on horse back, riding towards the prisoner. The prisoner jumped up and got over the fence into the road. He noticed that he put a 3 parts plucked fowl under the left side of his jacket. The prisoner ran down the road to the allotment gardens. He saw feathers by the tree. Charles Rogers: Inspector of Police. On 23 July he was on duty in Chapel Street when he saw Ormond. Inconsequence of the information given to him he went to the gardens in search of the prisoner. He saw the prisoner who ran away but was eventually found in a shed on Farley Hill. He took Gilbert into custody. Gilbert denied the charge. They went to the tree in the park and found feathers. The prisoner said it had only been a chicken and he had picked it up, wrung its neck and got over to pick it up. The fowl was not found. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Gilbert, Frederick,
Philpot, George,
Rogers, Charles,
Ormond, William,
Crawley, J S

LUTON, Luton Farley Hill, stealing, fowls, bailiff