QSR1845/1/5/21

Depositions and examination - Edward Maddocks charged wtih stealing a dead rabbit from Edward Woodward

26 December 1844

From: 1844 To: 1845

William Woodward of Luton – on Saturday 21 December about 6.40pm he was in his father Edward Woodward’s house in George Street, just inside the door. His father sells rabbits and game. There were some rabbits hanging on the door frame. Maddocks came onto the second step of the door and took a rabbit down. He ran after him and shouted “stop thief”. Just as he got to him Maddocks threw the rabbit at him and said “take the rabbit you bugger”. He picked the rabbit up and his mother slit both its ears. The rabbit now produced is the same rabbit. Samuel Hawkes – on Saturday he was standing at a butcher’s stall opposite Woodward’s house. He saw Maddocks go away from the house holding a rabbit down his left side. He seemed to hold it so that it should not be seen at the house. [Remainder of deposition as above] Charlotte Woodward, wife of Edward Woodward – she was upstairs and saw Maddocks come across the road towards their house. She saw him put his hand up towards the rabbit on the door post but did not see him take it down. Her little boy cried out “stop thief”. She came downstairs, met him at the door and received the rabbit from him. She slit its ears. The rabbit produced is the same one.

item

Maddocks, Edward,
Woodward, Edward,
Woodward, William,
Hawkes, Samuel,
Woodward, Charlotte

LUTON, Luton George Street, stealing, rabbits, game dealer