QSR1846/3/5/3

Depositions and examination - Thomas Wilson charged with stealing two hams and two pigs cheeks, value 20s, from David Vesper Wilshere at Cranfield on 19 April 1846

20 April 1846

From: 1846 To: 1846

David Vesper Wilshere of Cranfield, victualler – he is a licensed victualler and baker. On Sunday April 16 about 1am he was called by PC Flint who asked if he had lost anything. He went to the bakehouse with him and missed two hams and two cheeks which he had seen the afternoon before. Flint had two cheeks with him which he knew at once to be his. He can swear to the string by which they were hung up. Wilson was at his house in the evening and left about 11.15pm. Charles Flint, police constable – on Sunday morning he was coming down Merchant Lane in Cranfield and heard someone coming. He got close tot eh hedge and stood still. Wilson came with a sack on his shoulder. He asked Wilson what he had. Wilson said it was his business. He threatened to take Wilson into custody unless he told him what it was and where he got it from. Wilson refused. He tried to take it from Wilson. In the scuffle something fell from the sack. Wilson threw him to the ground, knelt on him and knocked his head against the ground. Before he could rise Wilson knocked him down again and knocked his head on the ground again. He rose and drew his truncheon and struck Wilson on the forehead, which left a mark. Wilson struck him with the cheeks, which he thinks he held by the string. He was insensible for a short time. When he came to Wilson was gone. He found the two cheeks lying close to him but the sack and the parcel that had tumbled from it were gone. He went to Mr Wilshere’s knowing he cured a great many hams and cheeks, and having seen Wilson at Wilshere’s house the night before. Mr Wilshere found 2 hams and 2 cheeks were missing and identified the two cheeks as his. He watched Wilson’s house until after 4am. Wilson did not come home. He then went to Newport Pagnell and found Wilson at a brothel. He took Wilson into custody. Wilson said he knew nothing about it. Thomas Wilson – he does not remember seeing the policeman anywhere that night. He does not know how he got the cut on his head.

item

Wilson, Thomas,
Wilshere, David Vesper,
Flint, Charles

CRANFIELD, Newport Pagnell, Cranfield Merchant Lane, stealing, meat, ham, victualler, baker, police constable, prostitution