QSR1854/3/5/2

Depositions of Robert Ayres Jefferies, farmer of Great Barford, William Baxter, labourer of Great Barford and William Beach, police sergeant of Great Barford. In the case of Jacob Dickens accused of stealing 24 eggs.

17 April 1854

From: 1854 To: 1854

Robert Ayres Jefferies: the prisoner had been in his service for about 10 days. On 13 April he marked 3 eggs in the house and gave the eggs to his man William Baxter the same night. The 3 eggs later produced were the same eggs as given to William Baxter. William Baxter: in the service of Mr Jefferies and on 13 April he was given 3 eggs by him, which he laid in the same nest from which he had fetched them from. On Friday 14 April about 6am they were still where he had laid them. He watched the nest until 9am and saw the prisoner go to the nest. The prisoner came away with 2 eggs in one hand and 1 in the other. On checking the nest, the 3 marked eggs had gone. He saw the prisoner place the eggs in a place where they were 9 others. He saw the prisoner put his hand in other nests and again saw him with eggs in his hand. On the Friday night he found 20 eggs where he had previously seen the 12. On Saturday morning he saw the prisoner put more eggs in the place. He later went to the place and found 24 eggs. On Saturday dinner time he saw the prisoner move some eggs from the place into a hedge. Sergeant William Beach: on 14 April he went with William Baxter to a straw stack in Mr Jeffries’ Home Close. He saw 20 hens eggs concealed at the bottom of the stack including the 3 marked eggs. On Saturday afternoon he concealed himself on Mr Jefferies premised and saw the prisoner go to some of the hens nests and then go to the place where the other eggs were hidden. About 10.05pm he saw the prisoner go to the stack with a basket and stoop down and put something in the basket. On approaching him, the prisoner said he was looking for his knife. Beach said he had something in the basket and the prisoner replied he had eggs which he had taken and wanted Mr Jeffries to forgive him. He said it was the first time he had taken anything and it would be the last. There were 3 eggs in the basket. Beach later found 21 eggs in the straw and amongst them the marked eggs.

item

Dickens, Jacob,
Jefferies, Robert Ayres,
Baxter, William,
Beach, William

Great Barford, stealing, eggs, farmer