QSR1856/4/5/9-10

Depositions of George Ward, son of John Ward a butcher of Sharnbrook, Mary Spencer, spinster of Sharnbrook, William Strugess, labourer of Sharnbrook, John Ward and William Green, police constable fo Sharnbrook. In the case of William Brooks and John Miles accused of breaking and entering the shop of John Ward and therein stealing 18 pound in weight of mutton.

26 August 1856

From: 1856 To: 1856

George Ward: on 22 August he left his father’s shop, shutting and locking the doors. At the time there was a considerable amount of meat in the shop amongst which was a quarter of mutton. He was told some meat had been taken from the shop and on going in missed the quarter of mutton. The doors were shut as he had let them. A few minutes later the mutton was brought back by his brother, Henry Ward. The weather being hot and close the meat wouldn’t keep and so his father had sold it. The meat was worth 10 shillings. Mary Spencer: she had been walking down Sharnbrook Street and saw the 2 prisoners near Mr Ward’s shop. The one in dark dress opened the upper door and got over the lower one into the shop. He then gave the mutton to the other prisoner over the door. This prisoner walked off and the one in dark dress came out of the shop and fastened the door, then walked after him. William Sturges was near her at the time. William Sturgess: he was coming by Mr Ward’s shop. He saw a man in dark dress in the shop give something over the door to another man. He did not know the men. Soon afterwards he saw the shop door shut again. He went to see Mr Ward and told his housekeeper what he had seen. John Ward: hearing some men had been in his shop, he went up the street after them. He had been given a description of them. He spoke to the prisoner, Brooks, who was carrying some meat under his arm. He asked where the meat was from and was told it was not his meat but he had been given it by a man named Miles. He told Brooks he must go back with him and gave the meat to his son Henry. He gave Brooks into the custody of PC Green. PC William Green: on Friday 22 August he was told of the theft of the meat. Going up the street he met Brook and Mr Ward. He took Brooks into custody. Brooks said he had not stolen it and John Miles had asked him to lend him his slop as he was going to get some meat. Miles fetched some meat and gave it to him to carry. Brook said he had been given it near some tress by the wheelwrights at the end of the village, about 500 yards from Mr Ward’s shop. He apprehended Miles at his own hut in Souldrop. Miles said he knew nothing of it. The following morning, whilst together, Miles said he had stolen the meat, borrowed Brooks’ slop and given it to him to carry. Miles said Brooks did not know it was stolen. The prisoner shad slept in the same room on the Friday night and seemed to have been under the influence of drink. Statement of the accused: William Brooks – Miles had asked him to lend him his slop. He lent it to him. He gave him the meat with the slop around it and he had not knowledge of Miles stealing it. John Miles – he acknowledged stealing the meat and giving it to brooks to carry.

item

Brook, William,
Miles, John,
Ward, George,
Ward, John,
Spencer, Mary,
Strugess, William,
Green, William

SHARNBROOK, butcher, mutton, breaking & entering