QSR1892/4/5/5

Depositions of Laura Milton from Kempston; Robert Walker and Charles Hoggard, Police Constable stationed at Wootton In the case against Joseph Wyman, General Dealer and Fishmonger from Kempston accused of stealing a whip valued at one shilling and sixpence, the property of Robert Walker

10 September 1892

From: 1892 To: 1892

Laura Milton said: I live with my father Joseph Milton at Kempston. On 25th August last I saw the Defendant take the whip out of James Walkers hands – He got into his trap and drove off with the whip. [cross-examined]: I had been playing with James Walker and with the whip. It was Robert Walker’s whip. James Walker had the whip and he had it all the time. We were teasing him and he ran after us with the whip. Seven or 8 of us were playing together. Some of us took the whip from James Walker and tried to whip; him with it. We had been playing with it for about a quarter of an hour. Sometimes the whip was dropped. We were playing in the road when Mr Wyman drove up. When we saw him coming we children scarpered out of the road to get out of his way. James Walker had the whip when I first saw Mr Wyman. James Walker ran away to get out of Mr Wyman’s way. I never picked the whip up while we were playing -James Walker picked it up as Mr Wyman drove up. I did not see Mr Wyman’s horse kick the whip. [re-examined]: James Walker had the whip in his hand when Wyman drove up. The boy held to the whip when Wyman took it away. I could not see Wyman when the whip was dropped. Robert Walker said: On 25th August I left a whip at my house. I afterwards heard my whip was lost. It was afterwards brought to me by Police Constable Hoggard. The whip produced is the one brought to me by Hoggard and is my whip. I gave one shilling for it. I value it at one shilling and sixpence. After I heard of the loss of my whip defendant came to me and offered me one shilling. When he was going out he said “Then I shan’t hear anything more about it” He gave me 3 shillings. I did not take any further proceedings until I had orders to come here today. [cross-examined]: When the Defendant came to me he told me he had picked the whip up on the road on 25th August. I thought he picked it up and that was why I took the money. The three shillings paid was put in the Missionary Box. I understood Wyman paid the money that there might be no bother of an enquiry but he in no way admitted that he stole the whip. I did not wish to prosecute him. [re-examined]: I told the Policeman I did not wish to prosecute. [By the Bench]: I did not charge the Defendant with any offence. I knew what the money was for. Charles Hoggard said: I am Police Constable stationed at Wootton. From information I received from Mrs Walker I went to Kempston on 26th August. I saw the Defendant I told him I had come for the whip that he had stolen from Wootton the night before. He said “I did not steal the whip I found it on the road.” I said “I think I can prove different to that.” He then said “I have got plenty of money to buy 40 b____ whips if I want them.” I said “Where is the whip.” He said “In the house.” I then said “You had better give it to me.” He gave it to me. [cross-examined]: The Defendant is a general dealer and fish monger. statement of the accused: I was driving my horse - it kicked against a whip and throwd it several yards. I got out and picked the whip up. If I had known who was the owner of the whip was I should have turned it up then.

item

Milton, Laura,
Walker, Robert,
Hoggard, Charles,
Wyman, Joseph

KEMPSTON, WOOTTON, felony, stealing, general dealer, fishmonger