QSR1866/1/5/16

Depositions of James Stevens, farmer of Barton. George Parkins, labourer of Hexton. Joseph Lansberry, police constable of Luton. In the case of William Weeden accused of stealing a tarpaulin, the value of £2 10s 0d.

11 December 1865

From: 1865 To: 1866

James Stevens: he was a farmer and resided at Barton Hill Farm. His house stood about 300 yards from the road leading from the Barton cutting to Hexton. On 22 November he had a tarpaulin lying on the green between his house and the road. He missed it on 24 November. He made a further search for it but could not find it anywhere and gave the information to the police. On 29 November PC Lansberry showed him a piece of tarpaulin. It was the one he had lost. It had his name on it and also ‘Unite Marker Paddington’. There was about a yard cut off the end where the names were and it had been freshly hemmed and dressed. The tarpaulin was worth £2 10s and had had it since January. He had no person working at the farm with an engine. George Parkins: he was a labourer and lived at Hexton. He worked for Mr Stevens at Barton Hill Farm. On 26 Noevmver he searched for the tarpaulin. He could not find it. He had folded and unfolded the tarpaulin dozens of times and it had 2 holes in it. It also had on it the names ‘James Stevens Barton Hill Farm’ and ‘Unite Maker Paddington’. The tarpaulin produced was his master’s property. There had been a piece cut off the end and it had been freshly dressed and a new hen put to it. PC Joseph Lansberry: on 29 November, from information received, he went to the prisoner in Old Bedford Road, Luton. He found him with a cart and a tarpaulin. He asked the prisoner whose tarpaulin it was and he replied it was his. The prisoner said he had bought it and that was all he would say. He showed the tarpaulin to Mr Stevens and he identified it at once. He took the prisoner into custody and charged him. On the way to the police station the prisoner said he had bought it from 2 men in London Street near the Pocock arms. The prisoner said he had given £1 17s 6d for it. Statement of the accused: not guilty.

item

Weeden, William,
Stevens, James,
Parkins, George,
Lansberry, Joseph

Barton, BARTON-LE-CLAY, Hexton, LUTON, stealing, farmer, Barton-le-Clay Barton Hill Farm