QSR1861/1/5/13-14

Depositions of John Dunkley, farmer of Turvey. George Mardlin, police constable of Turvey. Joseph Sanders, police constable of Turvey. In the case of Simon Healey and William Stock accused of stealing a sheaf of wheat.

10 December 1860

From: 1860 To: 1861

John Dunkley: a farmer living in Turvey and he had lately missed wheat. Healey had been in his employment for some years and Stock for about 12 months. The sack produced was his property. He believed there to be about 2 harvest cart loads of wheat gone. The barn where the wheat was kept was locked. Healey had full access to it and management of the hay and corn. The boy was his assistant. PC George Mardlin: he was watching Dunkley’s premises on 8 December. He had concealed himself with PC Sanders at the top of the barn between the wheat and slates. They were there some hours. He heard conversation between the prisoners. Stock went up into the loft and through a hole to where the wheat was. Stock lay listening for a while and then laid hold of s sheaf of wheat and lifted it up. As he was going, Stock lifted his foot and stamped it down on Mardlin. Stock dropped the sheaf. At first Stock said he had been sent by the shepherd for a spade and afterwards said he had come for an oil can. He left Stock with the other PC and went to find Healey, the shepherd. He found him against the barn door. He told Healey he was to put on his jacket and go with him to his house. As they were going Healey said that the wheat in the house belonged to his wife from gleaning. At the house he found a sack of wheat and a sack cut in two. PC Joseph Sanders: he was watching on the Dunkley premises on 8 December with PC Mardlin. They were between the wheat and the roof of the barn. Stock can into the loft and thought to where the wheat was. Stock lay listening for 5 or 6 minutes. Stock then picked up a sheaf of wheat. Mardlin asked Stock what he was going to do with the wheat and Stock replied nothing and he had only laid hold of it. Mardlin told Stock to stay with him and not talk. Healey then came into the barn and called out ‘Bill’ 3 or 4 times. Mardlin went away with Healey and when he returned he took Stock down. Stock had not caught hold of the wheat whilst falling. Stock had stepped on Mardlin. Statement of the accused: he was innocent.

item

Healey, Simon,
Stock, William,
Dunkley, John,
Mardlin, George,
Sanders, Joseph

TURVEY, stealing, wheat, farmer