QSR1856/4/5/13

Depositions of James Loal, labourer of Hanslope and Charles Holmes, labourer of Fenny Stratford. In the case of William Hilliard accused of stealing a brown mare.

6 October 1856

From: 1856 To: 1856

James Loal: he lived with his mother, Mary Loal, at Hanslope. She was a widow and carried out a farming business. On 5 October about 5.30pm a brown mare belonging to his mother was safe in one of the fields. On the morning of 6 October he went t the field and found the mare was missing. The gate of the field was locked as he had left it, but there was a gap in the hedge. He knew the prisoner well and he had lived a short time in Hanslope. The prisoner’s wife was still there. In consequence of the loss he made enquiries and ascertained a fair had been held at Woburn. He went to Woburn and put up at the White Horse there. He found his mother’s mare in the stable. He can swear to the mare by its colour and size. His mother had the mare for about 4 years. There were several people looking for the mare in the stable and he informed the landlord that the house belonged to his mother. He went with the landlord into the house and saw the prisoner who was in custody and informed the Superintendent of Police. Its value was £25. Charles Holmes: he was living at Fenny Stratford but his native place was Lavendon. He attended fairs about the country. On 6 October he saw the prisoner, a stranger to him, at Fenny Stratford. The prisoner was riding a dark brown mare and he asked him what he would take for her. They failed to agree a price and the prisoner went on in the direction of Woburn. He saw the prisoner at the Wheatsheaf with the mare. The prisoner wanted him to buy it and they agreed on a price of £15. He suspected that the reduction in price meant the mare was stolen and told the prisoner that he would need to bring forward someone who knew him and then he would pay the price. He accompanied the prisoner to the town but the prisoner could not find anyone to refer to. The prisoner said his name was Harris, he came from Wolverton and was a higler. The prisoner declined to give this information in front of the police. The prisoner got on the mare and Holmes told him not to leave. Holmes informed the Superintendent of Police who took the prisoner into custody. The mare was taken to the White Horse. Loal came to the White Horse and said the mare was owned by his mother. The prisoner informed the Superintendent, in his presence, that the mare belonged to him and that he had given £16 for it at the Northampton Fair, 6 weeks ago. The prisoner said he had 2 horses but as he did not have sufficient corn for them and so he thought he would sell one. Statement of the accused: he met her on the road and did not steal her from the field.

item

Hilliard, William,
Loal, James,
Loal, Mary,
Holmes, Charles

Hanslope, Fenny Stratford, Lavendon, stealing animals, horse, Woburn White Horse, fairs and markets, Woburn Wheatsheaf