QSR1879/2/5/1

Depositions and examination - Arthur Champkins of Hockliffe in the parish of Chalgrave, labourer, charged with stealing one horse's bit value 3s from Joseph Bicknow at Chalgrave on 25 January 1879

31 January 1879

From: 1879 To: 1879

Joseph Green of Bidwell near Houghton Regis, son of a dealer in poultry – he is employed by his father. On 26 January he came to the Bell with his father and Champkins in a cart about 4pm. He and his father went into the bar. Neither of them went into the tap room. He had some skates in the cart. They all came out of the Bell together. He moved the skates and saw the bit produced beneath them. He picked up the bit and asked what it was and who it belonged to. Bicknow said he believed it was his and laid it on the windowsill. Champkins did not ride home with them. He told Champkins not to get in the cart with them any more. Joesph Bicknow of Hockliffe in the parish of Chalgrave, innkeeper – he keeps the Bell at Hockliffe. Champkins came to his inn about 4pm in a cart with Mr Green and his son. Champkins went into the tap room. Green and his son went into the bar. There was no one else in the house. He left the house to get some ginger beer. Champkins went with him and returned with him. Champkins left with Green and his son. There was a horse’s bit hanging in the tap room. Young Green got into the cart, moved some skates and picked up the bit. He said it was his, went into the tap room and found his bit missing. [Cross-examined] Mr Green was sober when he came. Champkins did not say that Green was not to have more than half a quartern of whisky as he had had enough. He brought Green a quartern of whisky. James Busby, police constable stationed at Hockliffe – on 27 January he apprehended Champkins and charged him. Champkins said “All right. No one saw me take it”. Arthur Champkins – has nothing to say.

item

Champkins, Arthur,
Bicknow, Joseph,
Green, Joseph,
Busby, James

HOCKLIFFE, CHALGRAVE, Bidwell, HOUGHTON REGIS, stealing, poulterer, innkeeper, police constable