QSR1854/1/5/29-32

Depositions of Robert Nichols Davison, shopkeeper of Biggleswade, William Breakwell, police sergeant of Girtford and Thomas Breary, police constable of Northill. In the case of Christopher Vintner, Job Vintner, Charles Layton accused of stealing a cap and Sophia Vintner accused of receiving a cap knowing it to be stolen.

1 December 1853

From: 1853 To: 1854

Robert Nichols Davison: a shopkeeper of Biggleswade. On 26 November 3 boys came into the shop and had to wait a considerable amount of time before they were served. Whilst they were waiting he thought he saw Charles Layton out a cap up his smock but it fell down again. The boys afterwards asked to look at some caps and he showed them some. They said they would not have them but would call again another time. On 30 November PC William Breakwell came to the shop and showed him 2 caps. The one with the brass rim around the peak, he knew to be his property. It had his private mark on it and he had been looking at it a few days before. It was soiled and he planned to sell it cheap. William Breakwell: a sergeant in the Bedfordshire Rural Police. On 29 November he knew that Mr Davison’s shop had been robbed and inconsequence of information received, he went to Christopher Vintner who was at work on Mr Woodward’s farm at Warden. He asked where he had been on Saturday and was told Biggleswade. He said he had been to Mr Davison’s and had bought a pair of leggings and a smock frock from him. Asked if he had bought anything else, Vintner originally said no but then said he had also bought a cap. Breakwell took Christopher Vintner into custody. Vintner said he would tell Breakwell all about it and they had taken a cap a piece. Layton also took a pair of gloves. Breakwell went to Job Vintner and took him into custody. As they were going along the road, Job Vintner said they had taken a cap a piece. Along with PC Breary, they all went to the Vintner house. He was told the caps were in a box in the bedroom. On searching Vintner asked his mother where the caps were and she said there were no caps except for those on their heads. Breakwell told her to give up the caps as the boy had said they had taken them. She began to cry and pulled a cap from her pocket. On searching Christopher Vintner a pair of gloves was found. PC Thomas Breary: he was present at the Vintner house and saw Mrs Vintner pull a cap from her pocket and give it to Breakwell. She then went out of the house and he followed her. He saw her take a bundle from under the thatch of the house and he took it from her. On opening it he found 2 caps. He then went to Cardington and apprehended Charles Layton. Layton said he had only taken one cap. Statement of the accused: Christopher Vintner – he did not know what to say. Job Vinter – he had nothing to say except he took a cap. Charles Layton – he did not know what to say. Sophia Vintner – she did not know they had taken the caps.

item

Vintner, Christopher,
Vintner, Job,
Layton, Charles,
Vintner, Sophia,
Davison, Robert Nichols,
Breakwell, William,
Breary, Thomas

BIGGLESWADE, Girtford, NORTHILL, stealing, receiving stolen goods, cap, shopkeeper