QSR1858/1/5/11

Depositions of William Messenger, labourer of Houghton Regis, David Tompkins, labourer of Houghton Regis and Charles Dale, police sergeant of Houghton Regis. In the case of Samuel Tavener accused of stealing half a peck of barley.

4 January 1858

From: 1858 To: 1858

William Messenger: on 26 October he thrashed some barley which he had gleaned during the harvest in Mr Robins [?] barn in Foley Yard. The prisoner came into the barn and asked if he should help. He told the prisoner no. He put the barley into a sieve and went away to fetch a bushel measure. When he came back he saw the prisoner going away from the barn to the back of his house. When he got to the barn, he thought a little of the barley gone. David Tompkins: on 26 October he was at work in Folly Yard and stood against the barn door where Messenger was threshing barley. The prisoner was there and said he wished the old man would go away to fetch a measure and then he would have some of his barley. Messenger left the barn and whilst he was gone the prisoner took some barley. The prisoner took about half a peck and put it in a handkerchief. Since this took place the prisoner had been in gaol and when he was committed Tompkins told Sergeant Dale about the barley. Sergeant Charles Dale: on 29 December he took the prisoner into custody and charged him with taking the barley on 26 October. The prisoner said he had not seen Messenger in the yard and knew nothing about the barley. The prisoner said he had not handled a bit of barley since harvest. The prisoner was committed on 16 November for 6 weeks for damage to a ditch wall and his time expired on 28 December. Tompkins told him of the theft a day or 2 after the prisoner had previously been committed. Statement of the accused: he could say nothing as he knew nothing about it.

item

Tavener, Samuel,
Messenger, William,
Tompkins, David,
Dale, Charles

HOUGHTON REGIS, stealing, barley