QSR1857/4/5/8b

Depositions of Richard Dowdeswell, general dealer of Maulden, Samuel Richardson, labourer of Maulden and William Hillyard, police constable stationed at Ampthill. In the case of George Stokes accused of stealing a sadlde and a bridle.

24 September 1857

From: 1857 To: 1857

Richard Dowdeswell: When he left on 17 September he left a saddle and a bridle in the stables adjoining the premises of Mr Oliver who he lived with in Maulden. The following morning he missed the saddle and the bridle and saw it afterwards in the possession of Mr Bates at Wilshamstead. The prisoner had asked him on the Thursday morning to lend him a saddle and a bridle but he did not give him an answer. He had lent several things to the prisoner’s brother, at the request of the prisoner but not to the prisoner. Upon this occasion the prisoner asked for the saddle and bridle to go to Westoning and asked him to bring it to his house the following Friday. The saddle and bridle were worth about 10 shillings. Samuel Richardson: he worked for Mr Woodham at Hawnes. On the afternoon of 17 September he was stone picking in one of Mr Woodham’s fields at Hawnes West End. He saw the prisoner in the field with a saddle and bridle. Stokes put them on the mare in the field and rode out of the field. Samuel Hebbs: he lived at the Brick Kiln in Hawnes. On the evening of 17 September he was going down the road towards Wilshamstead and heard someone whistle. He turned back and saw George Stokes leading a grey mare. Stokes asked him if he could put the mare in his field until next morning. He took off the bridle and saddle and turned the mare into the field. He delivered them to the police the next day. PC William Hillyard: on 17 September he was informed the prosecutor had a lost a saddle and bridle. He found them left with the last witness. He went to the Brick Kiln and the items left by the prisoner were delivered to him. Statement of the accused: he asked Dowdeswell for the saddle and bridle on the Thursday morning. He asked Dowdeswell to bring it with him when he came down. When he got to the gravel pit he asked if Mr Dodeswell was there and was informed he had gone. He went up to the house and saw 2 little boys who worked for Dodeswell. He asked if they knew where the saddle was. They said it was in the stable or hovel. He told them to tell their master he had the bridle and saddle.

item

Stokes, George,
Dowdeswell, Richard,
Richardson, Samuel,
Hillyard, William,
Bates, James,
Oliver,
Hebbs, Samuel

MAULDEN, Hawnes, stealing, bridle, general dealer