QSR1868/4/5/9a

Depositions of William Millis, labourer of Martson Moretaine. Joseph Tame, railway porter at Bedford Railway Station. William Henry Haynes, police constable of the Borough of Bedford. William Hillyard, police sergeant stationed at Ampthill. In the case of William Hudson accused of stealing a wicker basket, 2 earthenware dishes, an earthenware jug and an earthernware basin.

8 October 1868

From: 1868 To: 1868

William Millis: he knew the prisoner well. On the night of Friday 2 October he was at Ridgmont Station and the prisoner was with him. They went off together by rail to Marston and he paid for both of their fares as the prisoner said he had no money. He had been drinking. When they got to Marston the prisoner went on and he paid. He had a basket with 2 dishes, a jug and a basin and 7 or 8 shillings in his pocket. When he got to Marston he only had 3 farthings in his pocket. He informed the people at the station. He missed the basket a few minutes after the train had left. Next morning information of his loss was sent to Bedford. The prisoner had no business with the basket. The basket produced was his. There were no other people in the train but the prisoner from Ridgmont to Marston. As Ridgmont station he had produced his purse and money in front of the prisoner. Joseph Tame: he was the porter at Bedford Station. On 2 October he was on duty at the station. The train arrived at 9.50pm. The prisoner came by that train and was booked from Ridgmont to Marston. He demanded the fare from Marston to Bedford which was 9 pence. The prisoner said he had no money. He asked the prisoner if he really wanted to get off at Marston or waited until Bedford. The prisoner said he wanted to get out at Marston. The prisoner took the basket and contents with him from the station at Bedford. PC William Henry Haynes: on 3 October he was informed of a basket and crockery being stolen and he went in search of the prisoner. He found the prisoner at The Angel in Bedford about 3pm. The charged the prisoner and the prisoner replied he had not stolen anything. He asked the prisoner where he had been the preceding night and the prisoner said he had been at Copperwaites in St John Street. They went there together and the landlady produced the basket and crockery and said it belonged to the prisoner. He took charge of the basket and other things and charged him with stealing them and 10 shillings. The prisoner replied he knew nothing about any money. He took the prisoner to the station, searched him and found 3s 1d and 3 farthings. He handed the prisoner, money and basket over to Sergeant Hillyard. Sergeant Hillyard: he received the basket, 2 dishes, jug, basin and 3s 1d ¾ in money along with the prisoner. He took him to Ampthill and took him before the magistrate. The prisoner was remanded. Statement of the accused: on last Friday night they had been at the Bell in Aspley. They came away and went to the Red, White and Blue and he [Millis] asked the landlady for some cider. They had some ale. He [Millis] had some more at another house. They went by train to Marston and he took up Millis basket as ordered and put it in the train. Millis gave him a ticket. Millis couldn’t walk. Millis was drunk.

item

Hudson, William,
Millis, William,
Tame, Joseph,
Haynes, William Henry,
Hillyard, William

MARSTON MORETAINE, AMPTHILL, RIDGMONT, Bedford Railway Station, Ridgmont station, Bedford Angel, Aspley Guise Bell, railway porter, stealing, crockery, disability