Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1895/2/5/PS1
  • Title
    Depositions and pleas of defendants - George Harding, Samuel Parker, Horace Parker and Charles Foskett of Stevington, charged with stealin 3 iron rabbit traps (value 3s) from William Anderson at Pavenham on 26 December 1894. Dealt with summarily at Sharnbrook Petty Sessions. [Originally filed in QSR Midsummer 1896]
  • Date free text
    4 January 1895
  • Production date
    From: 1894 To: 1895
  • Scope and Content
    Robert Anderson of Pavenham, law clerk – he lives with his brother William Anderson. On Monday 24 December he set three rabbit traps belonging to his brother at the bottom of a field near the river. He saw them there in the mornings of 25 and 26 December. In the afternoon of 26 December the traps had been taken away. He had set the traps in the rabbit holes. Joseph Hebbes of Pavenham, police constable – on 27 December about 8pm he received information from Mr Anderson that the rabbit traps had been lost. On 31 December about 6pm he went to Stevington with PC Downes. He went into the house of George Harding and asked him if he was Pavenham way on Boxing Day morning. He said he had been with Samuel Parker, Horace Parker and Charles Foskett. Harding denied taking any rabbit traps. He later went to Foskett’s house and asked if he had been to Pavenham with the other three boys. Foskett said he was bad in the house all day. When he saw the Parkers they said they were rat catching at Blackwell with a man named Hawkins. He told them that George Harding and a boy who was at plough told him they had been that way. Samuel Parker replied “I shall say nothing”. He asked what they did with the rabbit traps they brought home on Boxing Day morning. They did not answer. Samuel Parker afterwards said “If I tell you, you will lock me up”. He said he would not do so until he had seen Mr Anderson. Parker then admitted having one, and went to his house and got it. He admitted Foskett and Harding had the others. He then went to Harding’s house and Harding brought him a trap out of the barn. The trap now produced is the one he received from Harding. John Edward Downs of Oakley, police constable – on 31 December he went with PC Hebbes to Stevington where they saw the 4 defendants. Harding said he and the others had been round Pavenham on Boxing Day. Foskett said he did not leave the house that day as he had a bad cold. The Parkers said they were rat catching at Blackwell. When told that whether they would be locked up would depend on Mr Anderson Samuel parker admitted to having a trap and produced it. They went back to Foskett and asked him for the trap he had. After some demure he went to the back of the house and produced one. They then went to Harding’s house and Harding said he did not have one. When Harding was told he already had the other two and he might as well give it up he went out of the house with PC Hebbes who came back with the trap Pleas of defendants: George Harding – guilty Samuel Parker – guilty Horace Parker – not guilty Charles Foskett - guilty
  • Level of description
    item
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