QSR1835/2/5/7

Depositions and examination – William Perkins charged with assaulting Henry Fazey, constable, in the execution of his duty at Wilden

2 April 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

Henry Fazey (or Feazey) of Wilden, constable – he is constable of the parish of Wilden. This afternoon ( April 2nd) Francis Smith charged Perkins with stealing a kettle and asked him to apprehend him. He went in pursuit of Perkins and found him in the parish of Ravensden with the kettle in his possession. Smith went with him. He took the kettle away from Perkins, who jumped up and seized the weapon he now produces. Perkins stabbed at him with it at least 20 times and tried to strike him. He told Perkins he was a constable and showed him his staff. He succeeded in apprehending him with the assistance of John Mayes and took the weapon away from him. He had tried to take Perkins before he struck at him. After he apprehended Perkins he struck him several times with his hands. He brought Perkins to Bedford and was struck at many times on the way. The weapon is a soldering tool. Francis Smith of Wilden, retail beer seller – he heard Perkins had a kettle which belonged to Sophia Fish and claimed it from him. Perkins said he should not have it. Perkins was then in his [Smith’s] yard and said he would take the kettle away, which he did. He went for Henry Feazey the constable. They pursued Perkins to Ravensden. He saw the same kettle by Perkins’ side as he sat on the ground. Feazey showed Perkins his staff, said he was a constable and demanded the kettle from him. Perkins would not let him have it. Perkins went on a little way and another man who was with him wanted to sell the kettle. He wanted 2s 9d at first but at last offered to give up the kettle for nothing if they would drop the matter. He heard the other man offer the constable a shilling to drop the matter. Feazey said he would see further into it and tried to take him. Perkins allowed himself to be taken quietly at last but when they first saw him Feazey tried to take the kettle. Perkins swore he should not, that he was was never taken by one man in his life and would not be taken then. Perkins swung the kettle about so that no one should get it away from him. Perkins also swung the iron about. He can’t say whether Perkins did strike Feazey. He thinks it was merely to keep him off. After Perkins was taken and they got into Mr Peacock’s close he wanted to go one way and Feazey another, and they had a struggle. He does not know whether Perkins struck Feazey in Peacock’s Close, but he did afterwards in Mr Best’s close. Feazey did not strike Perkins until Perkins struck him. William Perkins of Wilden – he knows nothing about the affair. He had three quarts of beer in one place and three pints in another.

item

Perkins, William,
Fazey, Henry,
Smith, Francis,
Mayes, John,
Fish, Sophia,
Peacock,
Best

WILDEN, RAVENSDEN, assault, constable, beer retailer, household goods, kettle