QSR1848/3/5/1

Depositions and examination - Joseph Roadnight charged wtih stealing 3 ounces of tea (value 9d) from Frank Flint and John Flint at Leighton Buzzard on 11 April 1848

14 April 1848

From: 1848 To: 1848

Frank Flint of Leighton Buzzard, auctioneer – he is in partnership with his father who also lives at Leighton Buzzard. On Tuesday 11 April they had a quantity of bacon, tea and coffee consigned to them for sale at the Town Hall. There were samples of teas lying on a table in the room – black, green and mixed. About 1pm he was informed that Joseph Roadnight had taken the samples. He caused Roadnight to be apprehended and was present when the teas produced were taken from his person. The person who consigned the teas to them for sale is Caleb Craft of Bedford. They are bound to make good the loss to him. William Miller of Aylesbury (Bucks), cordwainer – he was at Leighton Buzzard on 11 April and went to a sale at the Town Hall by Flint & Son. He saw Roadnight wrap up 3 tea samples, look around, put them in his pocket and go out of the room. He believes the tea produced is the same. William Edwards of Leighton Buzzard, police constable – he apprehended Roadnight and took him to Frank Flint. He searched Roadnight and found the tea produced. Roadnight claimed a woman put it in his pocket in the room. He said it was done up very awkwardly. Roadnight replied “I could not do it up better. I thought I might as well have it as anybody else”. Searching him further he asked Roadnight if he had a knife. Roadnight said “No, if I had I would cut my throat for being a fool”. Joseph Roadnight – he was not aware that the teas would be called for again. He thought somebody would have them if he didn’t and that he might as well have them as anybody else. He is very sorry it occurred but “I did not do it with roguish heart”. The tea and coffee were all sold at the time and he thought they were done with. He said to a man sitting there that he wondered what would be done with them, and he said “oh nothing, screw them up and put them in your pocket”.

item

Roadnight, Joseph,
Flint, Frank,
Flint, John,
Miller, William,
Edwards, William,
Craft, Caleb

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, BEDFORD, Aylesbury, stealing, tea, auctioneer