QSR1879/2/5/14-15

Depositions and examinations - Henry Sketchley, charged with stealing a purse from the person of James Annis at Biggleswade on 14 February 1879, and Samuel Sketchley for receiving the purse knowing it to be stolen

26 February 1879

From: 1879 To: 1879

James Annis of Woodhurst (Hunts), farmer and cattle dealer – on Friday 14 February he was at Biggleswade Horse Fair and sold a pony. There were 3 persons together in the High Street – the two prisoners were two of them and he should know the third if he saw him. They all four went into the White Hart Inn. The third man spoke to him and said “come in here and I’ll pay you”. The man gave him a Leicester Bank £10, £5 Bank of England and 2 half sovereigns. He took his purse out of his left hand trouser pocket, put the money in his purse and put it back into his pocket. He also had about £10 to £15 in gold in his purse. He threw down 1s for luck. One of the prisoners asked for half a crown. He stood up all the time and they sat down. When he gave them the 1s he asked if they would take anything to drink. They said not just now. They got up to leave and the third man who had paid him walked first. He followed close behind. Henry Sketchley walked on the left side of him and pressed against him. The shorter prisoner Samuel Sketchley went round another way and met them. They all pushed up together there just where they sell the drink at the bar window and said they would have something to drink. He felt Henry Sketchley draw his hand out of his left hand trouser pocket. He felt Sketchley’s hand under his coat. He collared Sketchley and said “you rascal, you have got my money”. He called to his son to fetch the police and he did so. Henry Sketchley said he need not hold him and he would not run away. At the time he collared Henry his two companions were close together and heard what he said. The shorter prisoner went out of the door at once, was away not much more than ½ minute and came back again, saying nothing on his return. The third man stopped until the police came and the two were given into custody. [Cross-examined] There were only 3 or 4 labouring men in the room. It was between 12 and 1. He was not the worse for drink in any way. He is satisfied he had his money in his pocket when the shorter man walked round the passage to the bar window. When the got to the bar window the third man was still in front and Henry on his side. He had on a great coat but it was not buttoned at all. It was either the 3rd man or Henry who asked for something to drink at the bar window – he thinks it was Henry. It was not arranged in the room that they would have anything to drink. He did not notice whether they called for anything to drink for they took his money directly. It was a narrow passage, with a crowd of people where they were drawing the drink. They had not got into the crowd when his purse was taken. He did not know anyone in the crowd. No one at the bar touched him or was near him except for the 3 men. The other men appeared to be working men. Samuel Sketchley walked up to Henry, but did not have to pass him as Henry kept at his left hand side. Just before he got hold of Henry Samuel came up and immediately he found Henry’s hand in his pocket. He did not speak to Samuel at that time. When he collared Henry he could not see what he had in his hand. They all crowded up so that he could not. He did not see Henry’s hand in his pocket or where his hand went to when they crowded around him. [Cross-examined by Bench] He has not the slightest doubt that Henry’s hand was in his pocket. Henry was on his left side and Samuel just in front of Henry. It was after Samuel came back that he said he would stand to be searched. Thomas Vincent of Potton, police sergeant – he was on duty at Biggleswade Fair on 14 February. He went to the White Hart Inn about 1pm. Henry Sketchley was given in charge. He took Sketchley to the police station, searched him and found a leather purse, £9 in gold, 6s 3d silver and 2 1/2d. Annis did not identify any of the property. Ebenezer Cain of Arlesey, police sergeant – about 1pm he went to the White Hart Inn. James Annis gave Samuel Sketchley into his custody on the charge of receiving his purse and contents. He took Sketchley to the police station, searched him and found one £10 and one £5 Bank of England note, £6 in gold 1s and 2d. [Cross-examined] Annis told him what money he had lost. There were about 20 persons in the whole length of the bar when he got there. He knew some but not all. There was no crush, and plenty of room. They wanted to be searched on the spot. He was within 40 yards when sent for. He never recollects seeing the prisoners before. [Further examined] At the police station Annis said to Samuel Sketchley “that man gave you my purse and you left the house”. Samuel said he did not and Annis was a bad man for saying so. Annis’s son Thomas Annis said “Yes you did, I saw you” Sketchley said he did not. Thomas Annis of Woodhurst (Hunts), farmer – he was with his father and the other 3 at the White Hart. The 2 prisoners are 2 of the men. He was standing at the door of the Inn and saw the shorter prisoner Samuel Sketchley go out. He walked into the house and from what his father said he went and fetched the police. He was gone 2 or 3 minutes. When he returned the two prisoners were there. He did not hear either of them say anything. He accompanied them and the police to the station. His father gave Henry in charge for stealing his purse and Samuel for receiving. Samuel said he did not go over the door step. He said Samuel did go out for he stood at the door at the time. He is sure Samuel left the house. When he saw Samuel leave he went and spoke to his father and returned to the door. Samuel went somewhere across the road but he did not notice where. [Cross-examined] He went in with his father and the three men. He went out first before the third man, went straight to the door and stopped there. There were several people in the room and several around the bar. He did not see Samuel come up the passage. He was never in the house before. His back was to the passage looking at the horses in the road. He had not been at the door many seconds. He does not know where Samuel came from. He noticed Samuel because Samuel pushed against him in the doorway. He did not hear his father say anything until he got inside. His father could not see him where he stood. Samuel bore rather to the right hand when he came out. He only saw Samuel walk 10 or 12 yards then went back into the house. The policeman was a long 40 yards off. Henry Sketchley – “I leave it to my solicitor”. Samuel Sketchley – “I leave it to my solicitor”. Frederick Higgit of Leicester, horse dealer – he was in the White Hart on Friday 14 February. The two prisoners came in after. Thomas Annis was outside the door when they went in. He paid James Annis £10 Hitchin note, £5 Bank of England and 2 half sovereigns. He received the Hitchin note from Thomas Kirby of the Bull Inn, Stanboro’, near Hatfeld. After he had paid the money he and Annis came towards the bar. Annis had previously asked him to have something to drink. He said he would have 3d of rum. The two prisoners said a glass of ale each. They went towards the tap. Mr Annis followed him. Samuel went round the passage and Henry followed them. There were a lot of people in the room and in the passage. When he got to the bar window he said he would have the drop of rum there as he wanted to go out. Annis put his hand into his pocket and said his money was gone. Annis turned to Henry Sketchley and said he took it. Annis did not say Henry’s hand was in his pocket. Henry said “if you think I’ve got it send for a policeman and have me searched. I won’t move an inch.” Samuel came round to the bar. Samuel had not got there before Annis said he had lost his purse. When Annis said this he was standing in the doorway of the bar parlour. He was standing in front of the door. Henry stood close to Annis. Annis said Henry had taken it and passed it to Samuel. They refused to leave until the police came. There were 20 persons round the bar – it was crowded and somewhat difficult to get from the parlour to the front door. He did not see Samuel go up to or near Henry until after Annis accused him of having taken his purse. In his opinion it was impossible for Henry to pass a purse on to Samuel. He has often seen some of the men who were present at other fairs. One he saw at Burton on Trent in custody a few months ago. Thomas Kirby – he keeps the Bull Inn at Stanborough near Hatfield (Herts). He was at the horse fair at Biggleswade on 14 February. He bought a horse from Samuel Sketchley for £19. He paid him in £10 and £5 Bank of England note and the rest in gold. He saw one or two regular thieves in the fair. He knows Mr Higgit. On 10 February 1879 he bought a horse from him at Stamford and paid by 2 £10 Hitchin notes. He has known the prisoners for some years. He always found them honest. John Sabey of Great Barford, farmer and dealer – he was at the horse fair. He went to the white Hart and did not go in because he saw some people he did not like the look of. He had seen them before. This was about 2pm. He has known the 2 prisoners for years and had business transactions with both of them. He believes them to be honest, industrious men. He would trust them with untold gold.

item

Sketchley, Henry,
Sketchley, Samuel,
Annis, James,
Annis, Thomas,
Vincent, Thomas,
Cain, Ebenezer,
Higgit, Frederick,
Kirby, Thomas,
Sabey, John,
Leicester Bank

BIGGLESWADE, Woodhurst, POTTON, ARLESEY, Great Barford, Leicester, Stanborough, pickpocket, receiving stolen goods, farmer, cattle dealer, police sergeant, horse fair, fairs and markets, Biggleswade White Hart, horse dealer, innkeeper, Stanborough Bull