QSR1898/3/5/4

Depositions of Sarah Stewart of Keysoe and Ebenezer Matthews, Police Constable of Keysoe in the case against Thomas Dunnigan and John Wilson of Keysoe accused of stealing a piece of meat of the value of one shilling, the property of Joseph Stewart, Licensed Victualler of Keysoe

22 April 1898

From: 1898 To: 1898

Sarah Stewart said: I am the wife of Joseph Stewart of The White Horse Inn Keysoe. On Wednesday the 13th inst about 4pm the two Defendants came into the Inn and asked for some beer which was served to them by my daughter – I had other customers in The House at the time. The two Defendants stayed until the others had left and they then went and sat by the fire. Dunnigan sat next the oven and Wilson sat in a chair where he could see me about the kitchen. A piece of pork was cooking in the oven – I suddenly smelt a smell of burnt meat and I saw the Defendants get up and go out. I then went to the oven to see to the meat and it was gone. I went out of the House and ran up the yard after the men and caught hold of Dunnigan and said “You have got the meat out of the oven” He denied it. Wilson said “Come on away from her” I said “If you don’t give it me I will send for a Policeman” A boy was going by and I told him to fetch the Policeman. Dunnigan then took the meat out of his pocket wrapped up in a handkerchief with blue spots. The meat now produced is the meat I missed – I took it out of the handkerchief and the men went towards Kimbolton – I value the meat at one shilling. Ebenezer Matthews said: I am a PC stationed at Keysoe. On the 13th inst about 6pm from information received I procured a bicycle and went to the White Horse Inn at Keysoe. In consequence of [what] the last witness told me I went in pursuit of the Defendant and overtook them within a short distance of Kimbolton. I charged them both with stealing a piece of pork from the White Horse Inn Keysoe. Dunnigan made no reply. Wilson said I don’t know what you mean. I arrested them and took them to Keysoe where the Mrs Stewart identified then as the men who had stolen the meat. Dunnigan then said “I’ll own up to it I did take it but this other chap had nothing to do with it” I then took them to Sharnbrook Police Station. statements of the accused: Thomas Dunnigan: I am guilty John Wilson: I am not guilty

5 pages

item

Dunnigan,Thomas,
Wilson, John,
Stewart, Sarah,
Matthews, Ebenezer,
Stewart, Joseph

KEYSOE, Kimbolton, Keysoe White Horse Inn, licensed victualler, stealing, meat