QSR1862/1/5/2

Depositions of Joseph Kitchiner, baker. Reuben Pepper, police constable. James Bentley, victualler. Thomas Smith, baker. Thomas Barcock, victualller. Mary Worrell, widow. All of Shefford. In the case of James Stanton accused of breaking & entering and therein stealing 4 bracelets, a ring, 5 brooches, a snuff box and money to the sum of 10 shillings.

6 November 1861

From: 1861 To: 1862

Joseph Kitchiner: he left his house at 12 o’clock on Sunday 3 November. On leaving home he fastened the doors and windows. On his return he found the house had been opened and someone had been in. A shutter of the bakehouse in the yard had been taken down and the hole in the window enlarged. The key of the flour loft had been taken. The flour loft had been opened with the key and someone had got into the loft and from there into one of the bedroom. 2 pairs of bracelets, a gold ring, 5 brooches and other articles had been taken. The person who had got in had gone down to the sitting room and taken 18 shillings, 9 half pence and snuff box. He immediately told the police. The police soon afterward produced some articles which he identified as his own. James Stanton had worked for him as journeyman and knew he premises very well. He also lost a shirt front, a shirt collar and a neck tie. Among the copper money he lost were a number of fastenings. PC Reuben Pepper: he was informed of the robbery and one examining the premises thought it was someone who knew the premise well. He suspected James Stanton. He found Stanton in Back Lane near Shefford. He asked Stanton to come to his cottage and he told the prisoner he wanted to know what he had about him. The prisoner took 2 bracelets, a ring, 4 brooches and a snuff box from his pockets. He felt the prisoner’s pocket and found 7 half pence and 6 farthings. He told the prisoner he suspected him of the theft and the prisoner said he knew he had done wrong and he had done it on purpose as he didn’t care what became of him. The prisoner said he had more and he showed him a shirt front, a shirt collar and neck tie. Next morning the prisoner gave him a fifth brooch. The prisoner said he was going by Mr Kitchiner’s premises and saw the cart was out. He thought he would see what he found. James Bentley: keeper of a public house at Shefford. About 5pm the prisoner told him he would pay 2 shillings off that he owed him and he did in fact pay 15 pence of it. All was copper including some fastenings. The prisoner had something to eat and drink and paid about 15 pence for it. That was also in coppers. The prisoner stayed about half and hour and was sober. Thomas Smith: the prisoner came to his house and said he had come to pay for what he had on Friday. The prisoner pulled some copper from his pocket and laid them on the board. The prisoner told him to take 18 pence out of it which left about 6 penny worth of half pennies. Thomas Barcock: keeper of a public house at Shefford. The prisoner had a half pint of beer at his house and did not pay for it as he said he had no money. About 6pm the prisoner came again and paid him a shilling which he had owed Barcock. The prisoner had 2 pints of beer and paid for them. Mary Worrell: her father kept a public house at Shefford. About 5.30 on the Sunday, the prisoner came from the house and paid a shilling that he owed and paid sixpence for a gin. Statement of the accused: he did not wish to say anything. He knew he had done it.

item

Stanton, James,
Kitchiner, Joseph,
Pepper, Reuben,
Bentley, James,
Smith, Thomas,
Barcock, Thomas,
Worrell, Mary

SHEFFORD, breaking & entering, JEWELLERY, victualler, baker