QSR1831/4/5/13

Depositions of Ann Guess, wife of Benjamin Guess, Thomas Smith and Thomas Tredale. In the case of Thomas Webster, accused of stealing 2 shirts, the property of Benjamin Guess.

30 September 1831

From: 1831 To: 1831

Ann Guess: On 30th September at 3.55pm she hung 4 shirts out on the garden hedge, 2 of her husbands and 2 of her sons. At 5.30pm she went into the garden and found that 2 of the shirts were missing. She saw Joseph Smith just by her door and told him that she had lost 2 shirts. He told her that Thomas Webster had taken them off the hedge and wrapped them up in a handkerchief. She then went to police constable, Tredale, who accompanied her to search for the prisoner. They went together to the ‘Ewe and Lamb’ public house where the prisoner. The prisoner first denied taking the shirts but at last confessed and produced the shirts. Joseph Smith: On 29th September he saw the prisoner go up to the hedge of Benjamin Guess’s garden and take 2 shirts which he wrapped up in his blue handkerchief. He did not see which way the prisoner went after. Thomas Tredale: On 29th September Ann Guess came to him and told him that she had lost 2 shirts and suspected Thomas Webster had taken them. He went with Mrs. Guess to the ‘Ewe and Lamb’ and found the prisoner inside. The prisoner eventually confessed to stealing the shirts and was taken into custody. Thomas Webster: ‘I know I did not taken them’

item

Guess, Benjamin,
Guess, Ann,
Webster, Thomas,
Smith, Thomas,
Tredale, Thomas

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, labourer, police constable, felony, stealing, shirts