QSR1855/2/5/8

Depositions of George Stratton, gamekeeper of Odell and Charles Barker, police constable of Harrold. In the case of Henry Foskett, labourer of Harrold, accused of stealing a vermin trap.

27 March 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

George Stratton: gamekeeper to Mr Alston of Odell castle. On 15 March he missed a vermin trap which he had set in a drain in a field leading from Odell to Harrold. The drain was within a dozen yards of the footpath but the trap could not be seen from the path. He had caught a stoat there and had it hung in the hedge near, which may have lead a person to look for a trap. He heard Henry Foskett had the trap and by direction of his master he went with PC Barker to search his house. They found in a lower room of the house on a shelf the trap. It was branded with large letters and he knew it to be his master’s property. He had last seen the trap on 12 March. PC Charles Barker: he had heard the evidence of George Stratton and agreed with it in all respects. The prisoner lived at Harrold and worked on the railway at Souldrop. Statement of the accused: he found a trap.

item

Foskett, Henry,
Stratton, George,
Barker, Charles

HARROLD, gamekeepers, stealing, ODELL, Odell Castle, SOULDROP, railway worker