QSR1847/3/5/12-13

Depositions and examination - William Fensom and Frederick Fowler charged wtih stealing 25 lbs of bacon at Toddington on 28 April 1847

30 April 1847

From: 1847 To: 1847

Charles Wood of Toddington, grocer – on Wednesday evening (28 April) he had a quantity of bacon lying on a tea chest in his shop. There were 2 pieces together weighting from 25 to 26 lbs. He noticed them lying about 8.30pm that evening. Soon afterwards Fensom came in for ¼ oz of tobacco. Fowler had just been in, as he was told by his shopman William Mead. No one else came in after Fensom except a little girl and the shop was closed immediately afterwards. The next morning soon after he opened the shop he missed the bacon. The pieces produced by PC Clough are part of those he lost. He knows it by the size – it is smaller than is usually sold – and by the cutting of it. It is cured bacon. There was no reason for it to be put in pickle. William Mead – he is shopman to Mr Wood. He remembers Fowler coming to their shop for some tobacco at about 9.30pm. He was not in the shop when Fowler entered. He noticed him leaving the door wide open. He heard the shop door bell ring and went into the shop. He did not notice then that the bacon was gone. Wiliam Clough, police constable stationed at Hockliffe – he apprehended Fensom and Fowler on suspicion of stealing the bacon. He searched Fensom’s father’s house and found the pieces of bacon produced, which were in pickle. Fowler asked how he thought it would be with him if he told him all about it. He said he must repeat whatever Fowler told him. Fowler then said “Fensom went into the shop and threw the pieces of bacon out and I picked them up and we took it together to Fensom’s father’s house where we had some eggs and bacon for supper … We left the remainder of the bacon at Fensom’s father’s”. William Fletcher of Toddington, labourer – on Wednesday evening about 9.30pm he was passing towards Wood’s house and saw Fensom peeping in at the private window. As he approached Fensom drew back. Fowler was then standing against the shop window. He heard Fensom say something to Fowler about going in to buy some tobacco. He gave information the next morning of what he had seen the prisoners doing. Wiliam Fensom – “I was not there at the time. I have witness I was not there”. Frederick Fowler – nothing to say.

item

Fensom, William,
Fowler, Frederick,
Wood, Charles,
Mead, William,
Clough, William,
Fletcher, William

TODDINGTON, HOCKLIFFE, stealing, bacon, grocers, police constables, shopman