QSR1855/1/5/20-21

Depositions of John Geard Bedells, grocer of Woburn, John Olden, police constable of Woburn and Thomas Gilbert, labourer of Woburn. In the case of Samuel Brewer and James Harding, labourers of Woburn, accused of stealing 33 pounds weight of dog biscuits.

28 November 1854

From: 1854 To: 1855

John Geard Bedells: a grocer carrying out business in Woburn. On 17 November he received a quantity of dog biscuits which were brought from the railway station by the carriers. These should have been 4 cwts. He weighed one of the bags of biscuits and found it 33lbs deficient. Robert Collet Stratfold, the carrier was present when the bag was weighed. He informed Stratfold he would hold him responsible for the deficiency. The value of the 33lbs of dog biscuits 6s 6d. Thomas Gilbert: he was 9 years of age and in the employ of Mr Stratfold, the carrier. On 17 November he was with one of the men bringing up some bags containing biscuits from the railway station to Mr Bedells. The truck stopped near to Mr Bedells and whilst the man who was with him talked to a man named McKay, the prisoner Brewer came to the truck. Brewer cut open 2 of the sacks with a knife and took a quantity of biscuits away with him in his apron. The other prisoner, James Harding was with him. They both ran away. The man who had been with him was Thomas Perry. Brewer had a shut knife. He did see Harding take some biscuits. PC John Olden: from information received he apprehended Brewer and told him the charge, which Brewer denied but said he had picked up one or two biscuits. He afterwards apprehended Harding and told him he was charged with stealing biscuits. Harding said he did not steal any and that Brewer had borrowed a knife from a boy by the name of Snooks. Brewer had run down the yard and cut open the bag on the truck. Brewer told him what he had done and he went and picked up a few biscuits. Brewer took some more biscuits away with him from the truck in his apron. Statement of the accused: Samuel Brewer – he saw the truck against Crofts. A boy named Snooks gave him a knife and told him to cut the bag open. He said he would not and there was a hole in it. Snooks took some biscuits but he did not. He only picked up a piece off the ground and after that the truck went up the road and stopped. He then picked up a few more pieces of biscuit and laid them on the truck. James Harding – the truck stopped at Crofts and Brewer got a knife from Snooks and cut the sack. He saw some biscuits on the ground which had fallen out of the hole where Brewer had cut it. He picked up a piece an also put some back on the truck. The truck afterwards stopped and Brewer picked up some biscuits. He did not go near it.

item

Brewer, Samuel,
Harding, James,
Olden, John,
Gilbert, Thomas,
Bedells, John Geard,
Stratfold, Robert Collet,
Snooks

WOBURN, stealing, biscuits, grocer