QSR1855/4/5/3

Depositions of James Bland, labourer of Holwell, Thomas Child, labourer of Holwell and George Beaumont, labourer of Langford. In the case of Thomas Bateman, labourer of Meppershall, accused of felony.

30 July 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

James Bland: a labourer living at Holwell. On 28 July he slept in a barn at the Dirt [?] House at Meppleshall. Thomas Bateman slept in the barn with him. At about 2pm on 29 July he put up his clothes consisting of a coat, a waistcoat and 2 shirts in a bundle and left them in the barn. Bateman was there at the time. About 7.30pm he went to the barn and missed the waistcoat and one of the shirts from the bundle. Thomas Child: he had been lodging in the Dirt House for 3 weeks. He slept in the barn with James Bland and the prisoner. The following morning he heard Bland complain that his clothes had been stolen from the barn. In consequence of information received, he mounted a horse and went towards Biggleswade. When he got to Langford he saw the prisoner ahead of him. When the prisoner saw him coming he ran away and as he was going he dropped a shirt. He pursued the prisoner, caught him and took him by the collar. He told the prisoner he would be taken into custody for stealing the clothes. He saw the waistcoat on his back and made him take it off. He took the prisoner to the Boot Public House and got assistance and sent for the constable. He gave the prisoner into the constable’s custody. PC George Beaumont: on 29 July the prisoner was given into his custody. He also received the waistcoat from Thomas Child. Statement of the accused: nothing to say and he declined to sign.

item

Bateman, Thomas,
Bland, James,
Child, Thomas,
Beaumont, George

MEPPERSHALL, HOLWELL, stealing, waistcoat, shirt