QSR1862/1/5/21

Depositions of Thomas Green, farmer of Cranfield. Matthew Odell, labourer of Cranfield. Henry Bailey, police constable stationed at Cranfield. In the case of Charles Billington accused of stealing 3 pecks of peas and 2 carrots.

30 December 1861

From: 1861 To: 1862

Thomas Green: Charles Billington had been in his employment on 28 December. About 5pm that evening he suspected the prisoner of robbing him. He called the prisoner to the house to pay him his wages and having done so told him to pull out of his pockets what belonged to him. The prisoner pulled a bag from his pocket which contained peas and said “I did not mean anything master, I was going to show it as a sample to Tailor King. I did not intend to rob you and won’t do so again”. Matthew Odell was present at the time. He went with the prisoner to the barn and searched his basket. He found 2 carrots which he believed to be his property. The prisoner said he was going to take the carrots home to make soup. The prisoner followed him about and begged him to look over it. He discharged the prisoner from his service and went to the police the following morning. He accompanied PC Bailey to the prisoner’s house. He was present with 3 pecks of peas was found under flour in a bin. He believed them to be his property. The prisoner said he had told his wife the master may come looking for peas and say they were his and that was why he had emptied flour over them. The prisoner had not business taking a sample of peas to anyone. Matthew Odell: he was in the prosecutor’s employment. On 28 December he was called into the room where the prosecutor and prisoner were. The prosecutor held up a bag of peas and said he had taken them from the prisoner. The prisoner said he had been taking a sample of peas to Mr King and had no meant to rob the master. He went away. He afterwards saw the prosecutor and prisoner in the barn together and the master found 2 carrots in the prisoner’s basket. The prisoner said he was going to make soup out of them. The prosecutor told the prisoner he was a rogue and to be off his ground. PC Henry Bailey: on 29 December he was informed of the robbery. He accompanied Green to the prisoner’s house. The prisoner was absent but he saw the prisoner’s wife. He searched the house and the barn adjoining it. He found a quantity of peas in a bin covered with flour. The prisoner came in and he asked him to account for the peas being covered over. The prisoner said he thought Mr Green might have his house searched and if he saw the peas he would think they were his property. He took the prisoner into custody. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Billington, Charles,
Green, Thomas,
Odell, Matthew,
Bailey, Henry

CRANFIELD, stealing, peas, carrots, farmer