QSR1860/3/5/2

Depositions of Alfred John Atkinson of Blunham. Mary Hall, servant of Blunham. Thomas Samuel, carpenter of Blulnham and William Hills, police constable of Blunham. In the case of Joseph Norman accused of stealing 3 silver teaspoons from a dwelling house.

3 April 1860

From: 1860 To: 1860

Alfred John Atkinson: on the afternoon of 3 April he came home and was informed that 3 silver teaspoons were missing from the kitchen. He had engaged the prisoner to assist in packing goods as they were soon moving. When he arrived home the prisoner was not to be found. He was informed that Norman had been observed handling the spoons and afterwards going to the White Horse beerhouse where he lodged. The PC had been sent for but without waiting for him he went with Thomas Dennis [?] to the White Horse and enquired for the prisoner. Mrs Ellwood the landlady denied him being there and endeavoured to prevent him going upstairs. She struck him but he and Dennis forced their way up and found the prisoner in a room. Mrs Ellwood went directly to the prisoner’s coat and took out the spoons. She gave them up to him and begged him to say no more of it. She threw the spoons down as he declined to take them. Mary Hall: a servant to Mr Atkinson who was moving his residence. They had been engaged in packing and Joseph Norman had been assisting. There were 3 silver teaspoons lying in the kitchen which she saw about 2pm. About 5pm Mr Atkinson enquired of them but they had gone. She had not seen them since. The prisoner had gone away when the spoons were missed. Thomas Samuel: on 3 April he had been employed by Mr Atkinson to pack his household goods for removal. About 4 or 5pm he had been in the kitchen and saw Joseph Norman handling 3 silver spoons. Norman let one of them fall on the dresser. He did not see Norman afterwards. PC William Hills: he had been on duty at Blunham on 3 April and received information had some spoons had been stolen from Mr Atkinson’s house. He went to the house and was informed the prisoner was at the White Horse licensed beer house with the spoons. He went there and enquired of Norman to the landlady who said she did not know where he was. He directed her to show him the way upstairs as he knew Norman was there but she refused. He went up with Mr Atkinson and found the prisoner in bed. Mrs Ellwood gave him the spoons and asked that Mr Atkinson did not more. He told the prisoner the charge against him and the prisoner replied he would find the spoons in his pocket. He told the prisoner to dress and apprehended him. Statement of the accused: “I was fresh with beer and I remember nothing about it”.

item

Norman, Joseph,
Atkinson, Alfred,
Hall, Mary,
Samuel, Thomas,
Hills, William

BLUNHAM, stealing, cutlery, servant, carpenter