QSR1896/1/5/1

Depositions: George Sturman, Ezra Batchelar, Charles Yirrell and James Anniwell. In the case of William John Eames, 17, labourer of Leighton Buzzard, indicted for stealing seven sheep of the value together of 14 pounds 14 shillings, the goods and chattels of Charles Yirrell of Leighton Buzzard, butcher and farmer.

24 December 1895

From: 1895 To: 1896

George Sturman living at Leighton Buzzard, a shepherd to Charles Yirrell there: On 18 December 1895 his master had 68 sheep in a field adjoining Hockliffe Rd. The Witness fed them and saw that they were alright about 8.30 a.m. About 9.30 a.m. the Defendant came to him at home, said to him ‘How are you Master Sturman?’ the Witness said he was alright, and the Defendant then went away. About 12.30 that day the Witness went to the sheep from what he was told, counted them and found 7 missing. He could see where the sheep had been driven through the hedge onto the road. He saw the 7 sheep when they were brought back from Dunstable, and is sure they were his master’s sheep. Ezra Batchelar, farmer living at Eggington: On 18 December 1895 he was on the road between Leighton Buzzard and Hockliffe. He saw the Defendant driving 7 sheep from the direction of Leighton. The Defendant said to him, ‘Mr. Batchelar will you buy these sheep? My master said I might sell them. You can have them for £2 each.’ The Witness said he had seen some sold in Leighton Market for less. The Defendant then said, ‘You can have them for £1 each’. The Witness told them he did not want them. The Defendant went on with the sheep towards Dunstable. Charles Yirrell, butcher and farmer living at Leighton Buzzard: On 18 December 1895 about 12.30 he went to his field on the Hockliffe Road from what he was told and examined his flock there. There should have been 68 but on counting them there were 7 missing. He saw where they had been driven through the hedge onto the road. He took a train to Dunstable and went into Southam’s sale yard about 2.15 p.m. He saw his 7 sheep penned there for sale. Superintendent Anniwell was there and they took possession of the sheep. The Witness is sure they are his property. He values them at £14 pounds 14 shillings. He knows the Defendant by sight. James Anniwell, Superintendent of Police at Leighton Buzzard: On 18 December from information received he went to Dunstable to Southam’s market, there saw 7 sheep in a pen, and stopped the sale of them. He went to the Griffin public house and there saw the Defendant, who said, ‘Hello Mr. Anniwell.’ Witness: ‘What are you doing here?’ Defendant: ‘I have brought 7 sheep up here for Mr. Nash.’ Witness: ‘Nash of Eggington Brickyard?’ Defendant: ‘Yes.’ Witness: ‘Where are they?’ Defendant: ‘There they are outside in the pen.’ The Witness said he must detain the Defendant until he could communicate with Mr. Nash. Mr. Yirrell came and identified the 7 sheep as his property. The Witness took the Defendant into custody and charged him with stealing the sheep. The Defendant said, ‘I put them into the sale in the name of Nash’. Statement of the Defendant: ‘I did not know what I was doing’.

item

Eames, William John,
Sturman, George,
Yirrell, Charles,
Batchelar, Ezra,
Anniwell, James

livestock, sheep, stealing, Griffin public house, Eggington Brickyard