QSR1855/1/5/3

Depositions of Leonard Bishop, tobacco pipe maker of Leighton Buzzard and Thomas Worsley, police constable of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of Isaac Corkett accused of stealing 18 shillings and sixpence in silver and 2 shillings 3 pence in copper.

24 October 1854

From: 1854 To: 1855

Leonard Bishop: a pipe maker of Leighton Buzzard. The prisoner had been in his service for about 3 months. He had taken him from the workhouse. Corkett assisted in his business and had his meals in the house. Corkett did not have regular wages but he paid him occasionally as Bishop thought proper and when Corlett deserved it. He also he clothed Corkett. He had missed small some of money since Corkett had been in his service but he had not suspected Corkett. On Friday 20 October he had some money in gold and silver in his bedroom in a drawer. On the Monday he discovered some of silver had gone and also some half pennies were missing. There had been some pennies and half pennies from the reign of William IV which he had put in the side. The loss of this led him to believe he had been robbed. He made enquiries of his wife and concluded 18s 6d in silver and 2s 6d in copper had gone. He questioned Corkett but Corkett said he knew nothing of it. He searched the boy and his room but could find no money. He also made enquiries of the neighbouring shops but could learn nothing. He charged the prisoner with stealing it but he denied it. However, in consequence of his enquiries he found the prisoner had been to a man asking to change sixpence which, as he had given him no money, he knew he could not have come by honestly. Corkett continued to deny the charge but later said he had taken the money when he was confronted with the man. He returned with the prisoner to the house and told him to produce the money. They went to the stable and Corkett went to a drain and produced 2 shillings and a sixpence. Asked what he had done with the remainder, Corkett said he had spent some and given some away. PC Worsley took possession of the money and the prisoner. PC Thomas Worsley: on 23 October he went to the prosecutor’s house and was informed the boy had been robbing from him. He questioned the prisoner who denied having taken any money and as he left. He was called back shortly afterwards and the prosecutor gave him 3s 6d. He took the prisoner into custody. Corklett said he had taken some silver but not as much as had been missed. Corkett said he had taken 8 pennyworth of halfpennies from the drawer and had spent them at different hops in town. The prisoner showed him the shops and Worsley discovered he had spent 1s 7d. The prisoner said he had given 2 boys a penny each. There was nothing found upon the prisoner. Statement of the accused: he had not taken as much as was missed and had nothing else to say.

item

Corkett, Isaac,
Bishop, Leonard,
Worsley, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, pipe maker, stealing, coins