QSR1859/1/5/4

Depositions of Charles Baillie, clerk of the works at Cranfield. John Burton, plumber of Cranfield. William Lineham, licensed hawker of Lidlington. George Graves, rag merchant of Bedford. James Bates, superintendent of police of Ampthill. Thomas Bowles, police constable stationed at Lidlington. In the case of Thomas Spring accused of 72 pounds weight of lead.

2 December 1858

From: 1858 To: 1859

Charles Baillie: clerk of the works at Cranfield. He knew the prisoner Thomas Spring. Spring was at work at Mr Harter’s premises in Cranfield as a plumber’s labourer on 9 June. The lead was of 2 sorts and to his best knowledge it was the same sort of lead as being used at the works. The prisoner had the opportunity to take the lead from the premises as he was not searched at anytime. The prisoner lived in Ridgmont. There was a notice upon the premises that no strangers were to be admitted. He was there himself all day and no strangers came to the premises. [cross examination] the lead was locked up in his office. Before he came to the Works, the lead used to be put in the Foreman’s office. He could not swear any of the lead was ever on his premises. John Burton: he was a plumber working upon the Cranfield Court Works. The prisoner was one of his labourers. He was working lead at the time similar to the lead produced. It was lead of 7lb and 5lb weight. In working the lead they would cut of pieces like those produced. The waste lead was sent to the office and it was the prisoner who generally took it. The prisoner had no permission to take away or sell any. He had come to the job in May and the prisoner may have been there for 2 or 3 months and worked there until taken into custody. He did not miss any lead. There were 2 plumbers working there in June. When Spring was taken there was only one. William Lineham: On 18 June he was passing Ridgmont and called at the prisoner’s house. In the course of business the prisoner asked him if he bought lead. He said he did and offered a penny a pound for it. The prisoner produced some lead from a small basket. They weighed the lead and there was 70lb altogether. He gave the prisoner 5s 10d. He took the lead to Bedford the next day and sold it to George Graves and requested 9 shillings. His name was written on the piece of lead by Graves. The prisoner had no said where he had got the lead. George Graves: he knew the Lineham and they had previous dealings. On 19 June he came to the shop with 72lbs of lead. He gave Lineham 9 shillings and marked the pieces of lead with Lineham’s name and his private mark. He considered the transaction suspicious at the time and that was why he marked it. Superintendent James Bates called a day or 2 after and he told him of the purchase. Superintendent James Bates: he received lead from George Graves. On the 23 June the prisoner was apprehended on a charge of stealing lead. The prisoner was taken before a magistrate and he was remanded until 25 June. The prisoner was committed to the custody of PC Thomas Bowles to convey him to Ampthill. PC Thomas Bowles: he apprehended the prisoner at Cranfield on 23 June and was taking him to Ampthill when he made his escape. Before he escaped the prisoner said “you b____ you are not going to do with me as you like for a bit or two of lead”. Since then he had been on the look out for the prisoner and he apprehended him on 19 December at his father’s house in Ridgmont. He had made constant enquiries for the prisoner at Ridgmont and searched his house but he had gone away and given up his house. Statement of the accused: he was innocent.

item

Baillie, Charles,
Spring, Thomas,
Burton, John,
Lineham, William,
Graves, George,
Bates, James,
Bowles, Thomas

CRANFIELD, stealing, lead, plumber, licensed hawker, rag merchant, Clerk of Works, LIDLINGTON, BEDFORD, AMPTHILL, Cranfield Cranfield Court, absconding