QSR1844/3/5/18

Depositions and examination - Edward Redman charged with stealing one bag containing 2 shillings and other articles from the person of Fanny Chapman

28 May 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

Fanny Chapman of Kempston, singlewoman – she was at Cardington May last night May 27 and danced with Redman in a booth there. When they had finished she walked a step or two with him out of the May along the Cople Road. She had 2 oranges in her bag. Redman asked her for one. She cut him part of it and while doing so he snatched a black silk bag from her containing 2 shillings, about 10½d in copper, a pocket handkerchief, a spangled bobbin and a snuff box, and ran away across the fields. She called after him and followed him until she fell down. She knew Redman by sight but did not know his name until this morning. She met him at the Angel public house, Bedford, last April fair and did not see him again until last night. She had not been in his company any minutes last night before he stole her bag. She went back and gave information to the policeman. This morning she went with PC Fowler to Wilshamstead wehre Redman lives. Redman was not at home. They returned to Cardington and found him at Mr Trueman’s. She asked him what he had done with her bag. He pulled the bag out of his pocket and said “here it is – I’ll give you your other things”. He said he only took it as a joke. She opened the bag and found all the contents gone except the snuff box and bobbin. She asked where her money and pocket handkerchief were. He gave her the pocket handkerchief from his jacket pocket and said he would make the money right with her. He also told the policeman that if he would take off his handcuffs he would make it all right. [Cross-examined by Redman] He took her bag away in a close against a barn, but that is up the Cople Road. She did not bother him to give her a shilling. She did not ask him to buy her a necklace or an orange. John Fowler, no.3 of Bedfordshire Rural Police – he received information from Fanny Chapman that she had been robbed by Edward Redman. He took Redman into custody about 6am at Mr Trueman’s in Cardington. Chapman was present. Redman said he would give up the things, that he only meant it for a joke, and would make it right with her if she would let him go. He took the bag from Redman and it contained a handkerchief and a bobbin but neither snuff box nor money. He searched Redman and found a purse containing 5s. Edward Redman – he took the things in joke and never thought no hamr. He took the money – 2 shillings and 7 pence half penny – out of her bag and put it in his own purse so he would not lose it. He has seen the girl before at Bedford Fair. He knew her name and where she lived. He went off to Kempston with her last Bedford Fair.

item

Redman, Edward,
Chapman, Fanny,
Fowler, John,
Trueman

KEMPSTON, CARDINGTON, WILSHAMSTEAD, BEDFORD, Cardington Cople Road, pickpocket, policeman, dancing, fairs and markets, handkerchief, oranges, Bedford Angel