QSR1855/2/5/10

Depositions of Charles Hare, butcher of Shefford, his wife Fanny Hare, Martha Ann Waller, spinster of Shefford and Reuben Pepper, police constable of Shefford. In the case of Mary Collins, single woman of Shefford, accused of stealing a quanitity of beef.

31 March 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

Martha Ann Waller: she lived opposite Mr Hare the butcher in Shefford. About 2.45pm on 30 March she had been looking out of her window and saw the prisoner go into Mr Hare’s shop and take a piece of beef. The prisoner took it from one of the hook and wrapped it in a cloth and walked off with it. She immediately gave information of what she had seen. Fanny Hare: she lived with her husband Charles Hare at Shefford. A little before 3 o’clock on 30 March she received information that a piece of meat had been taken out of the shop by the prisoner. She immediately came out after the prisoner and met her in the street. She asked for the piece of beef and at first Collins denied having it. She then took it from under the prisoners arm. Collins offered to pay for it. Charles Hare: The piece of beef was his and weighed about 30 pounds. He been seen it in the shop about 1.30pm and was in the shop when his wife retuned with it about 3pm. PC Reuben Pepper: in consequence of the information received he apprehended the prisoner on the charge of stealing the beef. The prisoner answered that she had been very foolish and wanted to pay for it if they would allow her. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Collins, Mary,
Hare, Charles,
Hare, Fanny,
Waller, Martha Ann,
Pepper, Reuben

SHEFFORD, stealing, beef, butcher