QSR1857/4/5/2

Depositions of Frederick Gascoine, labourer of Biggleswade and George Windfield, labourer of Biggleswade. In the case of William Rooney accused of stealing 4 shillings and 10 pence.

17 August 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

Frederick Gascoine: he dealt in rags and salt. On the evening of 15 August he was coming home in a donkey cart from Potton. The prisoner came and got into the cart. He asked the prisoner to get out but he refused. He drove on and after about 10 minutes he thought he felt something at his pocket and put his hand down to check. He missed 4 shillings and 10 pence which had been wrapped up in a bit of rag in his pocket. He asked the accused about the theft and collared him. He called out and George Windfield came up. The prisoner felt in Gascoine’s pockets and then got out of the cart and went towards Biggleswade. Gascoine went on to Potton and gave the information to the police. The prisoner had been in the Bushel and Strike public house and had seen him wrap the money in the rag to put it in his pocket. They left the house at the same time. After the prisoner had gone towards Biggleswade he found the rag in a different pocket to the one he had put it in. He had 2 shillings and 4 pence in another pocket which had not been taken. George Windfield: on 15 August he saw Frederick Gascoine in the Bushel and Strike public house at Potton. He saw Gascoine wrap some money in a rag and put it in his right hand trouser pocket. He later saw him put 2 shillings and 4 pence in another pocket. The prisoner was drinking with them and saw what took place as well. They all left the house together and went toward Biggleswade. He got a little ahead and soon afterwards he heard Gascoine call out and went back to see him collaring the prisoner saying the prisoner had picked his pocket. The prisoner offered to examine Gascoine’s pockets and when he had done so said there was no money there. He them examined Gascoine and found 2 shillings and 4 pence and a rag in which Gascoine said the other money had been wrapped. Statement of the accused: he saw no money only the half crown.

item

Rooney, William,
Gascoine, Frederick,
Windfield, George

BIGGLESWADE, POTTON, stealing, money, pickpocket, Potton Bushel and Strike