Leafield, near Witney.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by

Mr. BUCKINGHAM,

At the Cross Keys Inn, Witney, on Friday, the 24th December, 1869, at 2 o'clock p.m., subject to conditions to be then produced, - A well-built Freehold COTTAGE, with about a chain of productive Garden ground and appurtenances, in Lower End Street, Leafield, in the occupation of Alfred Pratley.

Particulars of the Auctioneer, Witney ; or of Messrs. Aplin and Saunders, Solicitors, Chipping-Norton.

[Advert repeated two subsequent weeks]

LECHLADE.

Theft.-On Wednesday in last week, two labourers named Prattley, of Leafield, Oxon, were brought before G. Milward, Esq., charged with stealing two forks. As the evidence against the men was incomplete, they were remanded.

FAIRFORD.

Stealing Forks.-The prisoners Augustine Pratley and Alfred Pratley, of Leafield, Oxon, who, as stated last week, were remanded on a charge of stealing two forks, the property of Mr. Toose, of Paradise Farm, and Charles Baylis, both of Lechlade, were taken before J. R. Raymond Barker and T. S. Bazley, Esqrs., on Saturday, when the following evidence was given :-Charles Baylis, a labourer, stated that the prisoners were working in the same field as himself, and on leaving his work on Saturday night he put his fork (now produced) under some mangold leaves. On going to his work on Monday morning he missed it. William Toose, of Paradise Farm, Lechlade, stated that the prisoners (who were strangers to him) came and asked for work on Friday, and he employed them in the root field. They left on Saturday, promising to return on Monday morning, but did not. He missed the fork (produced) the same evening, having seen it safe in his yard on the Friday. Frederick Brunsden, of Holwell, Oxon, labourer, stated that he was in the village of Bradwell, on Saturday night. The prisoners came up to him, and Augustine was carrying the forks on his shoulder. At the solicitation of Alfred he purchased the one identified by Charles Baylis for 2s. 4d., and afterwards gave it to the police. P.C. Williams, of Lechlade, deposed to going in search of the prisoners, whom he traced, with the assistance of an Oxfordshire constable, through Bradwell and other villages to Leafield, where he arrested them both at their house. Whilst in the cottage he observed a woman leave hurriedly, whom he folowed into the garden, and then saw her throw something under the wall. He went and picked up the fork now identified by Mr. Toose as his property. Augustine Pratley pleaded guilty, but Alfred pleaded not guilty, saying he knew nothing of the theft, and believed the other man, who although of the same name of himself was no relation whatever, had bought the articles. Supt. Chipp informed the Bench that this was wrong, as the prisoners were brothers-in-law. The Bench characterised the theft as a most impudent one, and sentenced them both to one month each with hard labour at Gloucester.

OXFORDSHIRE LENT ASSIZES.

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CROWN COURT. - FRIDAY.

Before Lord Chief Justice Bovill.

obtaining bread by false pretences at burford.

Augustine Pratley, 21, labourer, was charged with having, on the 21st of January, obtained three loaves of bread value 1s., by false pretences, at Burford, the property of Geo. Pratley.- Prisoner pleaded not guilty.- Mr. Candy prosecuted.- Geo. Pratley, baker, living at Burford, said that on the evening of the 21st of January last the prisoner came into his shop and asked for two loaves, one "crusty" and one "crummy," for Mrs. Porter, at the "Bull." Witness asked him several times if he had not made a mistake, and he replied in the negative. He then gave him the quartern and two half-quartern loaves, which he walked away within the direction of Mrs. Porter's.- Mrs. Mary Porter, landlady of the "Bull," had never given the prisoner orders to fetch bread for her;; nor employed him in any way.- Inspector Richard Jones, of Burford, saw the prisoner in the street on the 24th of January, and charged him with obtaining the bread, which he denied. Prisoner then ran off, and witness followed him, caught him, and locked him up.- Prisoner, in defence, said he ran away because he had some money which he wished to give up, as he thought he might be charged with stealing it. He called Alfred Pratley, prisoner's brother-in-law, who said the prisoner was with him all the day with the exception of an hour and a half, which time he believed he spent in a public-house.- The prisoner denied ever going into the prosecutor's shop.- The Jury returned a verdict of guilty, and he was sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment with hard labour.- A second charge against the prisoner, for obtaining an ounce and a half of tobacco, at Burford, the property of William Henry Davis, was not gone into.

WITNEY.

PETTY SESSIONS. - October 4th.

Before James Mason and P. Southby, Esqs.

School Cases.

Alfred Pratley was summoned by the Eynsham School Board for not sending his child to school. Defendant appeared and said his child was over thirteen years of age, as she was born in April, 1870. It appears that although the bye-laws only compels parents to send their children to school until they are thirteen years of age, yet under Lord Sandon's act they cannot be employed until they are 14 years of age. The justices therefore made an order for defendant to send his child to school.

WITNEY.

PETTY SESSIONS.

Thursday, Oct. 2nd.

Before the Rev. W.S. Bricknell, J.F. Mason Esq., and Rev. R.L. Baker.

Trespassing.

Alfred Pratley, was charged with trespassing on land in search of game at Freeland on the 10th of September.

Charles Woodward deposed: I am a gamekeeper for Mr. Mason. On the 9th of September I saw defendant on land in the occupation of Mr. Dodwell, he was searching the hedge with a dog. I saw him take something out of the hedge, and take it up the field. I watched the place and saw him come the next morning and take a rabbit out.

Defendant said he went up to feed the horses and seeing the rabbit, picked it up.

Fined including costs 14s. 6d.