QSR1838/1/5/19

Depositions of Sarah Richards, singlewoman of Clifton. William Coombs, chief constable of Bedford. In the case of James Foxen accused of stealing certain monies.

12 December 1837

From: 1837 To: 1838

Sarah Richards: servant to Mr Benjamin Clifton, corn factor of St Paul, Bedford. On the night of 11 December she heard a noise in her master’s shop and went to see what it was. She did not perceive anything but hearing a scuffing she called Mr George Clifton who was sitting in a room adjoining the shop. George Clifton came into the shop and at that moment she saw the prisoner rise from the end of the counter and make towards the street door. George Clifton ran after him and caught him just as he got to the door. There was a till underneath the counter and the prisoner came from it. When she first saw the prisoner he was crawling on his hands and knees. There was about 12 shillings in the till. She went to examine the till and found the silver taken away. Mr Benjamin Clifton was from home. There were also coppers in the till which we not taken. William Coombs: the prisoner was brought to his house by George Clifton charged with robbing the till at Mr Benjamin Clifton’s. He searched the prisoner and found upon him a silver watch and a few other things but no money. He then put the prisoner into the cage whilst George Clifton went to fetch his brother. About 10 minutes later he saw Benjamin Clifton and found out that he missed about 10 shillings from the till. He went to the cage to make another search of the prisoner. He desired the prisoner to take off his clothes and on shaking the prisoner’s jacket he heard something clink. He found in the pocket 9 shillings and 2 sixpences. The prisoner said that he was persuaded by someone else to do it. After 2 hours later as he look the prisoner something to eat the prisoner said he was persuaded by Neal Eaton to take the money. Eaton was to have part of it. George Clifton: he was sat in the room at his brothers when he was called to the shop and was told there was someone behind the counter. He heard scuffling and saw the prisoner rise from the end of the counter and run towards the street door. He secured the prisoner as he got to the pavement and took him to the chief constable. Mr Coombs searched the prisoner and found several things but no money. The prisoner was then put into the cage. After the prisoner had been in the cage about quarter of an hour they made another search and found 10 shillings in the prisoner’s jacket. When he first secured the prisoner the prisoner said “pray forgive me I was persuaded to do it by another”. Statement of the accused: Neal Eaton persuaded him to do it and showed him how to get into the shop to the till.

item

Foxen, James,
Richards, Sarah,
Coombs, William,
Eaton, Neal,
Clifton, George,
Clifton, Benjamin

CLIFTON, BEDFORD, Chief Constable, stealing