QSR1847/3/5/25/b

Depositions and examination - James Timms charged with obtaining a loin of mutton and a pound of beef suet from Thomas Gudgin by false pretences

20 May 1847

From: 1847 To: 1847

Thomas Gudgin of Ampthill, butcher – on Tuesday 18 May Timms came to his shop at about 7pm. He knows him by sight but not by name. Timms asked for a small loin of mutton and a pound of beef suet for Mr John Bosworth of Marston. He has sold meat to Mr Bosworth but not lately, and he has occasionally sent for meat and had it put down. Timms said he worked for Mr Bosworth, who wanted the loin of mutton for chops for a party he had to breakfast the next morning. He weighed the loin which was 6 lbs and put a ticket with it for 4s (8d per lb). Timms said Mr Bosworth would be there on Thursday and would call and pay for it. Henry Stanbridge of Ampthill – he keeps a beer shop and is a letter carrier. On Tuesday evening Timms came to his house with a bundle (meat in a cloth). Timms had ½ pint of beer and asked for some meat to be fried. Timms cut of some from a loin of mutton he had in the cloth and ate it. Timms offered to sell the rest, saying he had bought the meat at Gudgin’s and it was more than he wanted and that he had to go to his club the next night and did not have the money for it. There were 8 or 9 people in the room. One bid 1/6, another 1/9, another 2/0 if a pint of beer was given out of it. He himself bought the meat and suet for 2/0. He offered to give the cloth to Mr Gudgin but Timms said he would take it himself. John Bosworth – he occupies a farm at Marston Moretaine. He knows Timms, but has not employed him in the past 10 years. He did not send him to Gudgin for meat. He has not spoken to Timms for 3 months. He has occasionally bought meat from Gudgin and had it put down to his account. His wife is not in the habit of sending out for meat. James Timms – “I never had any mutton of Mr Gudgin and know nothing about it no ways”.

item

Timms, James,
Gudgin, Thomas,
Stanbridge, Henry,
Bosworth, John

AMPTHILL, MARSTON MORETAINE, false pretences, mutton, suet, butcher, farmer, beerhouse keeper, courier