OXFORDSHIRE SUMMER ASSIZES.
Crown Court - Friday, July 14.
(Before Mr. Justice WILLIAMS.)
William Pratley and Francis Henry Rogers, indicted for stealing, on the 19th of May last, two geldings, value £10 each, the property of George Barrington and Thomas Hall of Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Mr. Phillimore for the prosecution, Mr. Thomas for the prisoners.
George Barrington - live near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire; on the 18th of May last had a horse in his possession, which was kept in a meadow with one belonging to Mr. Hall; on the following morning the horse was gone. Saw the horse again about ten days after; was Mr. Hall's horse the same day.
Thomas Hall - live at Hemel Hempstead; his horse was kept in the same field with last witness; on the 18th of May last it was there, but on the following morning it was gone; on the Sunday week following the last witness brought it back.
Thomas Hemmings - said he saw Rogers and another man in the field where the horses were; told Mr. Hall of it the next day.
Joseph Earle - know where the horses were kept; recollect when the horses were stolen; saw the prisoners on the evening before the robbery, at the Woodmill public-house, Piggott's End.
Susannah Thomas - keep the Woodmill, Piggott's End, know the field where the horses were kept; the prisoners were at her house on the 18th of May; witness's house is about a half mile from the field where the horses were kept.
Charles Wood, policeman of Hemel Hempstead - know the prisoners; saw them about a half mile from the field on the 18th of May; they were going towards the field where the horses were kept; and they had a bundle with them.
Henry Grace - live at Chelsea, near Leighton Buzzard; on the 19th of May, the prisoners brought him two horses to shoe; have seen the horses claimed by prosecutors, and they are the same horses; the men said they were going to Northampton fair.
James Blencowe - know the Fox public-house at Bicester; on the morning of the 19th of May let the two prisoners in; they had two horses with them; Rogers said he bought his in the dark on the night previous.
Thomas Davis - was at Charlbury fair on the 19th of May last; prisoners were there, and had two horses, which the prosecutors have since claimed; Pratley wanted 8/- for one of the horses, which appeared to be very tired.
William Hawks - bought a pony at Charlbury fair of Pratley, gave him another horse and 3l. 10s.
John Spittle - was at Charlbury fair - saw Pratley, who shewed him two ponies in a stable; bought one of them, which Mr. Hall has since claimed.
Spencer Hawks - found Rogers on the 19th of May; asked him if he had got a blind pony; he said he had not; brought him away; he said if ever got clear of this charge he would not get into any other trouble, but would take to hawking.
Several other witnesses were called, but their evidence was nothing more than what has been given above. Mr. Thomas addressed the Jury for the prisoners.-Guilty-Transportation for ten years. |