QSR1867/4/5/5

Depositions of William Herbert, innkeeper of Ridgmont and Sarah, his wife. John Readman, farm bailiff of Ridgmont. George Prior, police constable stationed at Ridgmont. In the case Thomas Spring accused of obtaining 12 quarts of beer by false pretences.

21 August 1867

From: 1867 To: 1867

Sarah Herbert: wife to William Herbert, an innkeeper at Ridgmont. She knew the prisoner Thomas Spring by sight and he sometimes came to their house. She knew the prisoner was at Harvest work for Mr Readman, a farmer in the neighbourhood. On 14 August, about 9am, the prisoner came to her house and said he wanted 3 quarts of beer for John Readman. Mr Readman was a customer of theirs. She asked if Mr Readman had sent him and the prisoner replied yes. She gave him the 3 quarts and he went away. Her husband was out at the time and when he returned she told him what had happened and he booked the beer to Mr Readman. On the following Friday the prisoner came again and asked for 3 quarts of beer. She asked if it was for Mr Readman and the prisoner replied yes. She drew the beer and he took it away. She would not have trusted him with any beer if he had not said he came from Mr Readman. The value of 6 quarts of beer was 2 shillings. William Herbert: on 14 August he was informed by his wife that the prisoner had 3 quarts of beer in Mr Readman’s name and he booked the beer to him. In the afternoon of that same day between 3pm and 4pm the prisoner came and asked for 3 quarts of beer for his master and a pint to drink there. He brought the prisoner his pint and then the prisoner call for another which he supplied on the representation that the beer was on Readman’s account. The prisoner took the 3 quarts with him. On 16 August about 5.30am the prisoner came again with a scythe saying he was going to mow wheat for Mr Readman. The prisoner brought a bottle with him and said he wanted 2 quarts of beer. He asked if the beer was to be put with the other to Mr Redman and the prisoner said yes and Readman would pay on Saturday night. He took the beer away in the bottle. He would not have given the prisoner the beer with the representation that it was for Mr Readman. He booked 12 quarts of beer that the prisoner had to Readman and gave the bill to Readman. Readman said he knew nothing about it. PC George Prior: on 20 August he apprehended the prisoner upon a warrant. He told the prisoner he was charged with stealing 12 quarts of beer from Mr Herbert on false pretences. The prisoner said he had the beer and set it up to Mr Readman as he was at work for him and intended to pay for the beer on Saturday night. Statement of the accused: he hoped they would be as light with him as they could. He had a father lying dead and had intended to pay for the beer on Saturday night.

item

Spring, Thomas,
Herbert, William,
Herbert, Sarah,
Readman, John,
Prior, George

RIDGMONT, false pretences, beer, farm bailiff, innkeepers