QSR1888/1/5/7

Depositions of William Thomas Smith of Houghton Regis, George Bird of Houghton Regis and Walter Gough of Houghton Regis. In the case of Samuel Tavener accused of stealing turnips.

12 December 1887

From: 1887 To: 1888

George Bird: a labour of Houghton Regis in the employment of William Smith. On 29 November about 7.30am he was in his master’s turnip field covering up turnips. The prisoner lived close by and came up to him to ask where his master was. The prisoner then went to the turnip heap and took some turnips. Tavener put the turnips in his basket and some into his pockets, then taking them away. The turnips were covered with straw. Tavener was not given leave to take them. William Thomas Smith: the last witness came and told him that the turnips had been taken away. PC Walter Gough: on 3 December he apprehended the prisoner on a warrant. When read the charge, Tavener said “all right I only took two, Bird gave me permission to have them”. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

6 pages

item

Tavener, Samuel,
Smith, Thomas,
Bird, George,
Gough, William

HOUGHTON REGIS, stealing, turnips