QSR1869/4/5/12

Depositions of Charles Frost, James Frost, Alfred Squires, Thomas Flecknell and Squire Creak. In the case of William Bayford accuased of stealing a half sovereign, 5 shillings, a silver sixpence, 5 pence in copper, a purse and a key.

1 September 1869

From: 1869 To: 1869

Charles Frost: he lived at Kensworth and was a labourer. On 17 July he had in his possession 15s 11d. The gold and silver was in a purse and the copper was loose. The purse and cooper were in his pocket. There was also a key the purse. He was in the Waggon and Horses at Dunstable when he last remembered having the property. It was between 8.30pm and 9pm in the evening. He had been drinking with the prisoner and the prisoner was with him when he left the house. He could not recollect whether he went out with the prisoner but he fell down the worse for drink and felt somebody’s hand in his pocket. He could not say whose. He recollected James Frost coming to him and taking him home. He missed the money when his brother came to him just before he got to the Halfmoon. He missed his money about 100 yards from where he fell down. On Sunday morning he asked the prisoner if he knew nothing about it and he denied it. The prisoner offered to go and see about it and they went together to the place where he had lain. On Tuesday he told the prisoner he heard he had the money but the prisoner denied it. He worked with the prisoner on the Monday and Tuesday turnip hoeing. On the Wednesday after he had accused the prisoner he had gone. He was 14 yards from the inn when he first fell. James Frost: he was the brother of the last witness and a labourer living in Kensworth. He found his brother lying down between the Halfmoon and the Wagon & Horses on 17 July about 10pm. His brother was the worse for drink. William Smith was with him and he felt in his brother’s pockets but there was nothing there. His brother was along and he took him home. Alfred Squires: he lived in High Street South, Dunstable near the Waggon and Horses. He assisted his father, a farmer. On 17 July he saw the prisoner and Charles Frost together in front of the Waggon and Horses about 11pm. They were sitting on a form. They got up and staggered, being worse for drink and fell down by a gateway leading up a yard at the side of his house. They got up again and fell down on the edge of the public footpath. He heard the prisoner ask the prosecutor if he had any money and the prosecutor replied ‘yes’/ the prisoner knelt beside and fell about the prosecutor. He was about 2 yards from the prisoner at the time. The prisoner asked what pocket it was in and told the prosecutor to “roll over”. The prisoner then said he could not find it and “I have been your mate all day and I’ll sit down by you all night before anyone shall rob you”. After that a man named Flecknell and Mr Creak carried the prosecutor away. The prisoner remained. He did not know if the prosecutor had any money in his pocket. Thomas Flecknell: he was a painter and lived in Dunstable. On 17 July he was coming down the street and saw the prosecutor lying outsider Mr Squire’s gateway and the prisoner was standing beside him. He asked what was up and the prisoner said his mate had too much to drink and could not get up. The prisoner said his mate had money about him so he would have it and take care of it until morning. The prisoner then put his hand in Frost’s right hand pocket and appeared to be feeling there. He left and returned about 5 minutes later and the prisoner was trying to get Frost up. Mr Creak was also trying. 2 women were there but he did not know who they were. He then, with Mr Creak, took the prosecutor 150 or 200 yards up the road. They left together. The prosecutor was lying down when they left. He did not see the prisoner rob the prosecutor. He could not say if the prisoner had any money when he picked him up. Squire Creak: he was a wheelwright and lived opposite the Halfmoon at Kensworth. He saw the prosecutor and the prisoner together at the Wagon & Horses on 17 July and afterwards saw the prosecutor on the path outside. The prisoner was sitting about 3 yards from him. He walked out of the Waggon & Horses and got to the prosecutor before Flecknell came up. He helped Flecknell lead the prosecutor 150 or 200 yards. They picked him up near Squire’s gateway. Statement of the accused: he never stole any money. The prosecutor had 24s 6d when he came into Dunstable. He gave 4d for a quart of beer, 3s 6d for a new scythe and had lent him 2s. He bought a new hammer for 6d and a hoe from Mr Creak for 1s 5d. He lost 8d for half a gallon of beer dancing and paid 2s more and had 1s left in his pocket on Sunday morning.

item

Bayford, William,
Frost, Charles,
Frost, James,
Squires, Alfred,
Flecknell, Thomas,
Creak, Squire

KENSWORTH, stealing, money, purse, keys, painter, drunkenness