QSR1861/4/5/1/b

Depositions of William Elston, labourer of Great Barford. William Beach, police sergeant of Great Barford. In the case of John Swepson accused of stealing money and 3 handkerchiefs.

27 July 1861

From: 1861 To: 1861

William Elston: on 21 July he got up about 3am and his trousers had been moved from where he had left them the night before when he had gone to bed about 10pm. The prisoner, his brother and another young man had slept in the same room. He felt his trouser pocket and looked in his purse and found 2 shillings left in it. There had been 8 shillings on the Saturday night. All the people who had slept in the room were there when he woke except for the prisoner. He went with police sergeant Beach in pursuit of the prisoner and he was present when the prisoner was apprehended. He saw the handkerchief taken form the prisoner and he identified them as his property. 2 of the handkerchief had been left in the bedroom and another on the table in the house. Sergeant William Beach: he went in pursuit of the prisoner and apprehended the prisoner at Offord Cluny in Huntingdonshire. The prisoner initially denied the charge. When searched he found a purse containing 11 shillings, 2 half crowns and a 2 shillings piece. On searching his bundle and pockets he found 3 handkerchiefs. The prisoner said he was sorry and he did not now what possessed him to do it but he had done it.

item

Swepson, John,
Beach, William,
Elston, William

Great Barford, stealing, handkerchief