QSR1898/4/5/15

Examinations of Joseph Clare of Riseley in the county of Bedford, Watchmaker; Herbert Wise of Riseley aforesaid, Shoe Laster; and John Garner of Riseley aforesaid, Police Sergeant. In the case of William Barrick accused of feloniously steal take and carry away a basket containing 1 Bottle of Beer and a quantity of soda, Biscuits and Stationery together of the value of one shilling the property of Joseph Clare of Riseley.

12th August 1898

From: 1898 To: 1898

This Deponent Joseph Clare on his Oath saith as follows: -I am a retired Watchmaker and live at Riseley. On Saturday 30th July last I was going towards my house along the Riseley and Swineshead Road between 1 & 2 pm I lay down under a tree by the side of the road and went for asleep. I had the Basket - now produced - with me. There was in it this packet of carbonate soda. Half a pound of gingerbread nuts – a bottle of Stout and some stationery and this letters – I value the articles at one shilling. I was asleep about a quarter of an hour. When I woke up the Basket and its contents were gone. The said Herbert Wise on his oath saith I am a Shoe Laster and live at Riseley. On Saturday 20th July I was coming along the Swineshead Road between 1 & 2 pm and I saw the Prosecutor lying on the roadside and a Basket by his side. I saw him again as I went back. I passed the Prisoner twice. I was riding a bicycle. The said John Garner on his Oath saith I am a Police Sergeant and I am stationed at Riseley. On Saturday July 30 I received information that Mr Clare had lost a basket. From the information received I went to Higham Ferrers on August 4. I saw the Prisoner there I charged him with stealing the Basket and its contents. He said “I was never at Riseley on July 30th” I have not been there since the Feast. I told him he would have to come with me and he said “It is of no use telling no lies I did take it” I only done it for a lark and I had had some drink too. Coming along the Road with him from Higham he said “I will show you where I left the Basket in a corn field” he did so and I found the Basket close where he told me. He said he drank the Beer eat the biscuits and threw the soda in the hedge. I produce the Basket. Statement of Accused: Guilty

4 pages

item

Clare, Joseph,
Wise, Herbert,
Garner, John,
Barrick, William

RISELEY, shoe laster, watchmaker, police sergeant