QSR1858/1/5/7a

Depositions of George Bowler, carpenter of Leighton Buzzard, David Ashpool, shopman to a grocer of Leighton Buzzard, George Mardlin, police constable and William Clough, inspector of police at Leighton Buzzard. In the case of John Smith accused of stealing 2 saws, 3 chisels, a hammer, a 7 inch square and other articles.

29 December 1857

From: 1857 To: 1858

George Bowler: on 23 December he was at work at Mr Bassetts at Leighton and left his tools in a basket in an outhouse on the premises. The saw night he saw the tools at the lock-up. All the tools were his property and marked with his name or private mark. They were valued at 10 shillings. PC George Mardlin: on 23 December he saw the John Smith in the High Street and he asked for relief. He cautioned him not to beg and left him. Smith said he was destitute. About an hour and a half afterwards he saw Smith leaving the town with a basket or two on his basket containing tools. He asked Smith where he had them from and was told by Smith that he hid them whilst begging. He took Smith to the police station and examined the tools. The tools were identified by George Bowler. David Ashpool: on the morning of 24 December he was going to work and saw 4 saws and a carpenter’s plough under a hedge by the side of the road. He delivered them to Inspector Clough. Inspector William Clough: the prisoner was charged at the lock up on 23 December. Smith firstly said he knew nothing about them but afterwards said another man who had been with him had committed the robbery and that the plough and saws may have been hidden. Statement of the accused: he knew nothing about the saws and plough.

item

Smith, John,
Bowler, George,
Ashpool, David,
Mardlin, George,
Clough, William

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, stealing, tools, carpenter, shopman