QSR1855/3/5/28

Depositions of Henry Mitchell, victualler of Studham and Thomas Hinds, police constable of Whipsnade. In the case of George Grace, accused of stealing a ham.

30 May 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

Henry Mitchell: keeper of the Old Bell public house at Studham. On 28 May he had 2 hams hanging up in his chimney corner. The prisoner was drinking in the house that night and was sitting in the chimney corner part of the time. The prisoner was in the house for 3 or 4 houses and he went about 1 o’clock. The following morning he missed one of the hams and suspected the prisoner and went with PC Hinds to his house. The constable showed him a ham which he found there and he knew it to be his property. He could swear to it by a particular cut of the bone. PC Thomas Hinds: he went to the prisoner’s house and told him he suspected him of stealing a ham from the Old Bell. He asked to search the house and the prisoner, at first, said he should not but afterwards said that he might. He searched the house and on top of the staircase found the ham. He showed it to Mr Mitchell who identified it. He took the prisoner into custody who said he had found the ham against his gate the previous night. Statement of the accused: he found the ham on the road at the bottom of his yard. He had no more to say.

item

Grace, George,
Mitchell, Henry,
Hinds, Thomas

STUDHAM, WHIPSNADE, stealing, ham, victualler, Studham Bell