QSR1857/3/5/8

Depositions of John Rogers, farmer of Bromham, William Sawyer, sergeant of police at Whetstone, Middlesex, Edward Kell, sergeant of police at Highgate, Middlesex and Henry Ison Jebbett, superintendent of police of Bedford. In the case of John Thang Harradine accused of stealing a gelding.

29 May 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

John Rogers: on afternoon of 21 May he saw a chestnut gelding at his property in his stable in Bromham. Earlier that day he had ridden the animal. He missed the horse about 5.45am the following day. He saw the horse at the George Inn in Bedford. He knew the prisoner as he was former a tenant of his at Radwell. The prisoner ceased to be his tenant 4 or 5 years ago and he ejected him from the farm. The value of the horse was £50. He saw the horse that morning in the possession of William Sawyer. Sergeant William Sawyer: a police sergeant in the Metropolitan Police Force. On the morning of 22 May he was on duty at Whetstone. He saw the prisoner riding a horse. From information he had received from Mr Jebbett he traced the prisoner to 3 Redan Cottages, Franchise Street. He took charge of the horse and later showed the horse to Mr Rogers. He saw the prisoner in the custody of Police Sergeant Edward Kell and identified him as the man he had seen riding the horse. Sergeant Edward Kell: he was on the look out for the prisoner and on the night of 27 May he was near the prisoner’s residence at 3 Redan Cottages, Upper Holloway. In a field near the cottages he saw the prisoner crouching under a fence. He made towards the prisoner and the prisoner ran away across the fields. He pursued the prisoner and the prisoner fell. He captured him. He told the prisoner he was in custody on suspicion of stealing a horse. On the prisoner’s person he found some keys, one of which unlocked 3 Redan Cottages. He placed the prisoner in confinement at Highgate Station. He visited the prisoner in his cell and asked he was warm enough. The prisoner replied he supposed so and the next clothes he wore would be prisoner clothes. The prisoner said he would not deny the charge and he had taken the horse. The prisoner said he was without money and went down with a full determination of having a horse. He had seen them put the horse in the stable and he took it out and brought it home. He told the prisoner he had searched his lodging. The prisoner said he had pawned the saddle. Superintendent Henry Ison Jebbett: the Deputy Chief Constable of the County of Bedford. He received the prisoner into custody and believed him to have features which he recognized. He called at the prisoner’s cell and the prisoner said that if he had gave him a piece of paper he would write down his name and all about it. The prisoner wrote his statement. The next morning the prisoner said the objective of coming to Bedford to steal a horse was so he was tried in Bedfordshire and not in Huntingdonshire. In Bedforshire he would have the opportunity to be among his friends. The prisoner said he was tired of the life he was leading and he may have been taken on a more serious charge if he had not been taken for stealing. The prisoner wished him to make that statement to the magistrates. Statement of the accused: he had left London with the intention of seeing Mr Launder [?] or Mr Higgins. When he got down he found he wanted a little information which he thought he should like to have in writing. He only had about 18 pence in his pocket when he started from London. He lay down under a stack. When he got to a place before Bedford he only had half pence in his pocket and sold his waistcoat. He knew where Mr Roger’s stable was and took his horse and rode it to London. He took the horse and left him at Wood House. He then rode him to his place but did not see the party he wanted to see. He walked down with Mr Wise and a party in the road acknowledge him. He expected to be taken into custody. He told them where the horse was. He was allowed to go on and later caught with a horse and cart. He told the young man he did not wish to be taken and would get through the hedge. He happened on a gamekeeper and was taken. He told the police where he was and had intention of giving himself up. He thought he would either be tried in London or Bedford.

item

Harradine, John Thang,
Rogers, John,
Sawyer, William,
Kell, Edward,
Jebbett, Henry Ison

BROMHAM, BEDFORD, Whetstone, Huntingdonshire, Highgate, stealing animals, horse, farmer