QSR1854/1/5/26

Depositions of John Dunkley, farmer of Turvey and Ephraim Aldridge, police constable of Turvey. In the case of John Sergeant accused of stealing 26lbs of coal.

24 December 1853

From: 1853 To: 1854

John Dunkley: a farmer residing at Turvey. The prisoner was his horse keeper and had been in his service for 8 or 9 months. On 21 December he told to go to Turvey cottage with 4 horses. He expected 30 hundred weight of coal to be brought by Mr Lects wagon and to be left for him at Turvey Cottage. When he returned at 9pm he found the prisoner was in custody. PC Ephraim Aldridge: in consequence of information obtained on 21 December, he watched a load of coals, the property of Mr Dunkley, at his home. He saw coals brought to Mr Dunkley’s house by the prisoner in a wagon between 7pm and 8pm. The prisoner put the horses in the stable and afterwards he saw the prisoner get on the wagon and take off some coals. He followed the prisoner to his cottage and told the prisoner he wanted him to return the coal he had taken from his master’s wagon. The prisoner said that what he had taken was burning on the fire. Aldridge said he had believed there to be more than those on the fire. The prisoner picked up a large piece that was lying on the bricks and said that was all he had taken. He found 2 other large pieces in the coal place. Statement of the accused: he had taken 2 pieces of coal off the wagon and put them in his coat pocket.

item

Sergeant, John,
Dunkley, John,
Aldridge, Ephraim

TURVEY, stealing, coal