QSR1832/3/5/29

Depositions of Henry Somerfield, carpenter of Salford. James Smith, labourer of Salford. William Tawyer, labourer of Luton. In the case of Isaac Russell accused of stealing an ass.

5 June 1832

From: 1832 To: 1832

Henry Somerfield: he had a donkey stolen out of his stable on Sunday night. The door was pinned. The pin had been taken out and the door left open. He traced the donkey to Toddington. Between Toddington and Luton he met the prisoner, who resided at Salford, with a donkey. He accused Russell of stealing the donkey and Russell hung down his head and at first said nothing. Russell then told him he had swapped the donkey away for the one he was on at the Shoulder of Mutton in Luton. Russell went back to Luton with him and there got information that the donkey had gone to Caddington. He went to Caddington and found it had gone to William Tawyer of Maiden Hall in the parish of Luton. He found it there. James Smith: he went with Mr Somerfield to Toddington to trace a donkey which had been stolen. Between Toddington and Luton they met the prisoner on a donkey. They asked him where the other donkey was. It first Russell denied it but then said he had swapped it for the other donkey at the shoulder of Mutton at Luton. William Tawyer: Isaac Russell had a donkey in Luton market for sale. He swapped his donkey with Russell and also gave him a pot of beer. The donkey was very mischievous, which was his reason fro swapping. Mr Somerfield afterwards went to his house and claimed the donkey was his property.

item

Russell, Henry,
Smith, James,
Tawyer, William,
Somerfield, Henry

SALFORD, stealing, donkeys, carpenter, TODDINGTON, CADDINGTON, Luton Shoulder of Mutton