QSR1854/4/5/13

Depositions of John Mortimer, farmer of Heath & Reach. Thomas Bates, labourer of Chelsea, Buckinghamshire and Thomas Worlsey, police constable of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of John Knight accused of stealing a bushel of potatoes.

12 October 1854

From: 1854 To: 1854

John Mortimer: a farmer of Heath & Reach. He had about 7 bushels of potatoes lying in a field ready for covering up. On 10 October, in consequence of what he had been told, he went and found the heap had been disturbed. About a bushel had gone. The prisoner had been with him on 9 October and had let himself as a servant. The prisoner had the opportunity of seeing the potatoes. Suspecting the prisoner he went off to the house of Thomas Bates in Chelsea, who he knew to be a relative of the prisoner. Bates’s wife showed him some potatoes standing in a sack. There was about a bushel and he knew them to be his because of the similarity of the samples. The constable took possession of the sack and the potatoes. He afterwards showed the constable the heap and he took a sample from it. The prisoner was taken into custody and on being told the charge, he denied it but subsequently said “master if you’ll forgive me I’ll pay you for ‘em and live with you a twelve month for nothing”. PC Thomas Worsley: in consequence of information received on 11 October he went to the house of Thomas Bates at Chelsea and took possession of a sack containing potatoes in the presence of Mr Mortimer. He then went and took the prisoner in custody and told him the charge. Whilst driving to the lock up, he said to Mr Mortimer “will you allow me to pay for ‘em if you will I’ll live with you for twelve month for nothing, it’s the first time I ever took anything”. Statement of the accused: nothing to say

item

Knight, John,
Mortimer, John,
Bates, Thomas,
Worsley, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, HEATH & REACH, Linslade Chelsea, stealing, potatoes