QSR1846/1/5/25

Depositions and examination - Robert Hulatt of Pavenham

30 December 1845

From: 1845 To: 1846

Samuel Partridge of Pavenham, bailiff – he is bailiff to Mr Green of Pavenham. On Dec 10th he missed a wether sheep, half bred, from a field called the Pastures where it had been placed alone. He did not send after the sheep until Tuesday 16th. It was worth £2. Samuel Church – he is a labourer employed by Mr Wagstaff of Pavenham. On the evening of Saturday 13th Hulatt showed him a black faced sheep amongst Mr Wagstaff’s ewes. He heard John Glover who was working near him say to Hulatt “do you know that there is a stray sheep in the yard?” Hulatt said he did not. Hulatt examined it and said it had a W on it, standing for Whitmee, and that it came from Whitmee’s sale. Hulatt then said it was Mr Green’s. George Riseley – he is employed by Mr Green. On Tuesday 15th he was sent by Mr Partridge to look for the lost sheep. He went to Hulatt who said he had put the sheep into Mr Green’s park (also called the Pastures) on the Saturday. Joseph Neale, one of the rural police constables – on Friday 26 December from information received he went to search Hulatt’s house. In a cupboard he found part of a leg of mutton and a loin of mutton wrapped up in a cloth. He then went upstairs and in a clothes chest he found a leg of wether mutton and about 4lbs of loose fat. He apprehended Hulatt, who is shepherd to Mr Thomas Wagstaff. Hulatt attempted to resist. Hulatt then said it was a bad job. It was evident that the meat was not dressed by a butcher and was cut up while the meat was warm. Henry Ison Jebbett, police superintendent – on bringing Hulatt from Gaol to Bletsoe he observed that he brought his allowance with him for the day. He said to Hulatt “then you don’t mean to go back again as you have got your allowance”. Hulatt replied “oh yes I shall, for I know I’m guilty. I was very much urged by the sheep being in my flock, as it gave me a great deal of trouble.” Hulatt said the sheep had been with his flock from the previous Tuesday or Wednesday until the Sunday morning when he killed it by striking it on the head with his crook. He then stuck it with his knife and took part of it home that morning and part of it another time. Hulatt said he threw the skin in the ditch in Paradise field and thought it was very strange that Mr Green’s people had made no enquiries after the sheep until 2 days after he had killed it. Robert Hulatt of Pavenham – he knows he is guilty. He killed the sheep, but did not know whose it was.

item

Partridge, Samuel,
Church, Samuel,
Riseley, George,
Glover, John,
Neale, Joseph,
Jebbett, Henry Ison,
Wagstaff, Thomas,
Green,
Whitmee

PAVENHAM, stealing animals, sheep, mutton, bailiff, shepherd, farm labourer, police constable, police superintendent