QSR1858/4/5/7

Depositions of Thomas Handscomb, labourer of Southill. In the case of Susan Walker, wife of Henry of Shefford, accused of stealing a purse, a key, 6 shillings and 6 pence.

11 October 1858

From: 1858 To: 1858

Thomas Handscomb: he lived at Ireland in the parish of Southill. On 11 October he went to Shefford Fair. As he returned over Shefford Bridge a woman who was pursuing him caught him up and asked if he was going to the Biggleswade Road. He told her he was not. She then came up close to him, then took hold of him and asked him to buy her a pint of beer. He felt her hand in his breeches pocket. He tried to get away from her but he was rushed by 2 men he had not seen. They seized him, held him by the throat and threw him down. The woman ran away towards town and the men went on the road towards Bedford. When he got up he found he had been robbed of his purse containing 6 shillings and 6 pence, and his key. He went into town to look for the woman but could see nothing of her until he got back to the same bridge. He knew her immediately and went up and took hold of her. He accused her of robbing him. The same 2 men came up and seized him again by the throat and tried to get her away from him. Some other men happened to come out of a nearby public house and the men ran away. He kept the woman there until the police came and he gave her over into custody. Statement of the accused: she had nothing to say except she had not taken the money. The man had sworn falsely.

item

Walker, Susan,
Handscomb, Thomas

Southill Ireland, SHEFFORD, pickpocket, fairs & markets