QSR1855/4/5/5-6

Depositions of Edward French, farmer of Houghton Regis, Thomas Richardson, labourer of Houghton Regis and Charles Dale, police constable of Houghton Regis. In the case of George Burt (otherwise Bird) and Samuel Tavener, accused of stealing 3 live fowls.

6 August 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

Thomas Richardson: a labourer employed by Mr Edward French of Houghton Regis. He had charge of his poultry. On 31 July he saw a quantity of feathers in his stack yard. In consequence he called the fowls together and missed several. He then traced the feathers downs the meadow into a little clove of Mr Freman’s [?] and there found some fowls concealed in a ditch under some grass. He did not disturb him. It was 2.30pm. About 7pm he went again to the place and stopped there until about 8.45pm. He saw George Burt come into the field and go straight to the ditch where the fowls were concealed. Burt laid a handkerchief down and took some of the fowls from the ditch and put them into his handkerchief. Burt saw him coming and then gave them to Samuel Tavener. They ran away going in different directions. He caught Burt and asked him where the fowls were from. Burt said he and Tavener caught them in Mr French’s rick yard. He returned to the ditch with Burt and found 3 fowls. Burt took them out of the ditch and tied them in his handkerchief. He gave Burt and the fowls into the custody of PC Dale. He could swear to the fowls as his masters. PC Charles Dale: on 31 July the prisoner Burt was given into his custody. On telling Burt the charge, he responded that it was his handkerchief and Tavener was as bad as he and had gone with him to French’s yard and killed one or two fowls. Burt said he had killed the others and they had hidden them in a ditch in Mr Freman’s field. He afterwards apprehended Tavener who said he would not have gone to French’s if it had not been for Burt. Tavener said Burt asked him to go with him and get some fowls whilst the men were at dinner. Tavener said Burt killed 3 fowls which they then hid in the ditch. At night Burt had asked Tavener to go with him to collect the fowls but he had said he would have nothing to do with it. Burt swore at him so he went with him and Burt got over the hedge whilst Tavener remained on the other side. He saw Richardson coming and ran away. He never touched a fowl. Statements of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Burt, George,
Bird, George,
Tavener, Samuel,
French, Edward,
Richardson, Thomas,
Sale, Charles

HOUGHTON REGIS, farmer, stealing, fowls