Crime

Assizes
At Bedford, James Austin, for stealing an ewe sheep, the property of James Crouch, of Clophill; Joseph Gadsby for burglariously entering the dwelling house of Thomas Goff, at Harrold, and stealing there from property to the amount of 30s. and James Stapleton and James Phillips, for burglariously entering the dwelling house of John Green, of Bedford, and stealing and carrying away linen rags of the value of 21s.; were capitally convicted, and severally received sentence of death, but have since been reprieved.
Oxford Journal

Bedford Assizes
At these assizes, Charles Cartwright, for burglariously entering the dwelling-house of John Miller, at Bedford, on the 23d of September last, and stealing there from one watch; James Lawrence, for burglary at Clophill ; Frederick Punier, for stealing from a dwelling house at Ampthill, in the day time; Robert Costin and James Hewlett, for stealing two sheep at Pavingham; and William Pilgrim, for burglary at Aspley Guise - were all capitally convicted, and sentence of death recorded.
Cambridge Chronicle and Journal

Bedfordshire Epiphany Sessions
John Odell, of Clophill, a married man, was indicted for an assault upon Mary Peeling, widow, in the parish of Maulden, on the 17th Aug. last, with an intent to commit a rape. The fact was proved in the clearest manner by the prosecutrix, and Odell was sentenced to three years imprisonment to hard labour, in the Old House of Correction, and to find sureties to keep the peace for five years, himself in 10l. and two sureties in 5l. each.
Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette

Bedfordshire Lent Assizes
One Month's Imprisonment. - John Lincoln (to be whipped), for stealing, at Clophill, about three-fourths of a sack of hay, the property of Samuel Taylor.
Northampton Mercury

Bedfordshire Assizes
THOMAS MILLARD, otherwise MADDAMS, and THOMAS BONE, were charged with stealing a pair of iron plough chains, the property of Mr. James Horn, of Clophill. George Horn is nephew to the prosecutor, and assists him in managing his farm. In December last missed some plough chains; in consequence of information I went with Pack, the constable, to a well, which was common to several cottages, and among them to both the prisoners. I found the chains joined together with a link, and joined to a piece of old chain rolled round the roller of the well ; there were no hooks on the chain I found them; he knew the chain, it was a peculiar make - Staffordshire manufacture; I went into Millard's house, his wife was at home, she lighted a candle and looked in the stair-hole, and found a hook which she gave me. - John Mann. I live with Millard. I remember Millard bringing a chain home on the night of the 28th of November; it looked like a plough chain; I heard next morning a hammering before I got up; when I got up I saw the chain in the stair hole, and the hook lying in the house; both the prisoners were working in a lane by the side of Highfield. I told the constable on the 31st of December, and the same day Millard said to me, "thank you John for telling Mr. Horn that we have got the plough chains; if you had not told him he would not have known we had got them." Bone came out afterwards and said the same. - Robert Briggs is a blacksmith at Clophill; on the 13th of December prisoner Bone brought two plough chains to me, and same odd bits of chain; when he brought the first he said he had it ever since he came from Wear-Hedges; he wished me to put them together to make a well chain, which I did; I never saw Millard at all. - William Pack, the constable, proved that he found the chain as described by a former witness, and has had it in his possession ever since. - James Horn, the prosecutor, proved the chains produced were his property; he spoke to the character of Bone. - Sir Wm. HOLLAND summed up. The Jury found the prisoners guilty, but recommended them to mercy, - two months' Imprisonment in the Old House of Correction.
Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette

Assize Intelligence
JOHN BURROUGHS Charged with stealing some money, value 6s., the property of the Rev. W. P. Nethersole, at Clophill. - Ann Smith remembers a bag with monies being put into the parlour before church, on the morning the family went to church, a little before eleven; windows were made fast; shutters the same as when left. Kitchen window had a pane of glass broken - it might be unfastened from outside, the opening would be large enough to admit prisoner's body; saw footmarks. Pack, the constable, afterwards found a piece of a bag of the same material as his mistress's money bag. - Sarah Burnet, is a teacher in Clophill Sunday School, collected it; put it into a Holland bag, and it laid there before church. - Sophia Nethersole, wife of the rector of Clophill, remembers taking the School money bag and putting it into a drawer of the sideboard, in the dining room; on returning from church saw the prisoner walking outside the garden paling; found the house as the servant had described missing the money bag; saw a piece of Holland and believe, it corresponded with the bag - Henry Willison, of Clophill, was at Titmus's beer-shop the Sunday after Christmas day; and saw prisoner there; Burroughs asked me and Madams to go to Campton with him; opposite Low's house, at Brad law, prisoner asked me to lend him my purse, and pulled a bag from his pocket containing a large bunch of half-pence; he then tore up the bag and swore that no one should find it, and threw it into the ditch; all went on to Compton; they entered several beer shops and had food and beer for which prisoner paid; showed Pack the place in the ditch where prisoner had hid the money-bag. Guilty - seven years' transportation.
Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette

Bedfordshire Mid summer Assizes
JOHN APPLEBY, aged 20, and ROBERT BRIGG, aged 22, both of Clophill, charged with having Maliciously wounded William Pack, of Clophill, constable. - Trial postponed till the next assizes, on account of the precarious state Pack remains in.
Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette

Bedfordshire Lent Assizes
SATURDAY.
JOHN APPLEBY was charged with having on the 22nd of June last, assaulted William Pack, constable of Clophill; and ROBERT BRIGGS, with aiding and abetting, with intent to kill and murder, or do him some grievous bodily harm. - Mr John Mossman, and another man, were going down Clophill village on the night of June 22, about 11 o'clock, when the prisoners insulted and annoyed them, upon which they called up the parish constable. While this was going on, they had armed themselves with a dung fork and a wipple-tree, and on Pack remonstrating with them, Appleby struck him on the head with the fork and knocked him down. Pack lay about a minute or so, and then run to the door of Stevens, another constable; Appleby followed, and struck Pack again on the head; he fell, when Appleby repeated the blows several times on the ground; Briggs in the mean time had slightly struck Mossman, and Stevens attended to Pack and took him home; surgical assistance was obtained, and fourteen pieces or bone taken out of Pack's brain. The wound in the head was one inch and three quarters long, and three quarters of an inch wide on the right side of the parietal bone. The dung fork was produced, with one tine bent over the other two - The Jury acquitted Briggs, and returned a verdict of guilty against Appleby, on the third and fourth counts, of intending to do some bodily harm to Pack. - The Judge animadverted strongly on Appleby's brutal treatment, and ordered sentence of death to be recorded against him.
Northampton Mercury

Bedford Gazette
Appleby, against whom sentence of death was recorded at the Assizes for maliciously wounding Pack, the constable of Clophill, has had his sentence commuted to two years imprisonment, and hard labour.
Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette

Bedfordshire Lent Assizes
WILLIAM BOTTOMS, aged 13, was indicted for stealing two fowls, the property of Wm. Maddams, farmer, of Clophill; and John Richardson, aged 16, was charged with receiving the fowls, well knowing them to have been stolen The prosecutor stated, that having lost many fowls he taxed the prisoner Bottoms with the robbery. The prisoner, crying, admitted that one had been taken, and informed prosecutor that it had been bought by James Carter, of Clophill, of the prisoner Richardson, and that he would he would bring it back if he (prosecutor) would say nothing about it. Took Bottoms with a constable to James Carter, where the fowl was found alive. On the road Bottoms confessed to having stolen six fowls. There was another lad implicated, who bad been accused, named Thomas Maddams, a relative of the prosecutor Maddams, but he was discharged by the magistrates. - Vincent Doggett, constable of Clophill, stated that on the road to Carter's, Bottoms confessed that they had stolen six fowls from prosecutor, and afterwards admitted having taken ten others. - James Carter, labourer. at Clophill, bought a fowl of Richardson on the 22nd of January, which was afterwards taken away. Believes the fowl produced to be the same he had bought - Joshua Cockburn, labourer, of Maldon, bought a fowl in January last of Richardson; gave 13d. for it. Not the same fowl as that last produced. - Mr. Joe. Green, clerk to the magistrates, proved that confessions were made by the prisoners before the magistrates. - The prisoner Bottoms, in his defence, stated that the constable Doggett made him drunk, and under the influence of liquor he had been induced to make the statement before the magistrates, which, however, Doggett denied. although he admitted having given him ale. - The learned judge, in leaving the case in the hands of the jury, severely reprehended the conduct of the constable in this case, by inducing the prisoners to male any confession. Verdict-Not guilty.
Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette

Bedfordshire Petty Sessions, Saturday, Nov, 30
An order was made for the payment of 2s. a-week on a man named Isaac Hare, of Clophill, for the maintenance of an illegitimate child of a female named Mary Gurney.
Huntingdon, Bedford & Peterborough Gazette

Bedfordshire Lent Assizes
CROWN COURT - Before Sir E. H. Alderson.
STEALING HURDLES. - Thomas Lincoln and Robert Lincoln were charged with having stolen two hurdles and fold stakes, at the parish of Clophill. - Vincent Doggett, of Clophill: On 20th Jan. was on the watch and saw the prisoners. Thos. Lincoln had two hurdles on his back, and Robert had two fold stakes. The prosecutor, Mr. Thorogood, died this morning. - Capt. Moore was the committing magistrate, and took down the examination of Thorogood, the prosecutor, which is now produced. - The deposition of the deceased prosecutor was read, by which he had identified the stolen property before the magistrate. Guilty. Imprisoned five cal. months, and hard labour.
Northampton Mercury

Herts Midsummer Assizes
Maria Brice aged 22, Clophill, Beds. was charged with poisoning her husband. This case excited a good deal of interest, and we regret our inability to give the particulars this week. The Jury under the direction of the Learned Judge Acquitted the prisoner ad; there was not sufficient proof that poison had been administered, and no proof at all that the prisoner had given him anything,
Hertford Mercury and Reformer

Bedford Hundred Session
Assault. - George Cook, constable of Sundon, charged William Godfrey (a prisoner in the goal), with having assaulted him in November last. Complainant said that he and another constable were bringing two prisoners to gaol, one of whom was the defendant, and that when they arrived at Clophill, they baited. and went into the Flying Horse to warm themselves. When they were ready to start, the defendant swore be would not go, and behaved like a madman, kicking and swearing desperately. Complainant was struck by him several times. Defendant said he was drunk, but this was denied by the constable, and by the constables, and also by the governor of the gaol. Convicted. Fine £l., costs 14s., or 14 days' imprisonment.
Cambridge Independent Press

Bedfordshire Epiphany Session
TRIALS OF PRISONERS. - WEDNESDAY.
Robert Appleby of Clophill, was charged with having stolen two rabbit traps, the property of Earl de Grey. An under-keeper proved that the traps were lost on the 11th of April; and a person of the name of Bottoms stated that prisoner brought them to him for sale. Mr. Tregenza the Governor of the Gaol proved that the prisoner had been previously convicted of felony. Guilty. - Six months hard labour.
Hertford Mercury and Reformer

AN IMITATOR OF THE. RENOWN'S BARON TRENCK. - On Tuesday last a fellow named James Newman, of Clophill, was apprehended by Billing, one of the rural police, on a charge of stealing a sheep-skin, the property of F. Lindrell, Esq., Hill-farm, Warden, and lodged in the cage at Northill during the night of Tuesday. On the following morning when Billing went to visit his prisoner, he was surprised to see the prisoner's clothing lying on the outside of the cage. He immediately opened the cage door, and found that the prisoner had raise part of the flooring, and scratched a hole with his hands under the threshold of the door sufficiently large to admit his body. The prisoner was entirely naked, having thrust his clothes before him, and had the policeman been a few minutes later, he no doubt would have effected his escape. He was taken before F. Pym, Esq., and committed to Bedford gaol to take his trial at the assizes. The same prisoner was in custody in Bedford gaol about 20 years ago, and made a similar attempt to effect his escape out of but was caught by Mr. Tregenza, the governor, and doubly ironed.
Bedford Mercury

Ampthill Petty Sessions
John Gage, of Clophill, pleaded guilty to a charge preferred against him for trespassing in search of conies in a stone pit, the property of Mr. John Lowe, in the parish. of Clophill, on the 11th instant. Fined in the mitigated penalty of 1s. and costs, amounting to 17s. Allowed a fortnight to pay.
Hertford Mercury and Reformer

Bedfordshire Lent Assizes
Joseph Clarke (37), labourer, of Clophill, was charged with stealing a quantity of range wood, the; property of John Law, on the 4th April. 1842. The witnesses in this case simply deposed to the loss of the wood, and the finding it in the prisoner's house. Guilty. To be imprisoned for one month; hard labour was not added, the prisoner being in a state of ill-health.
Hertford Mercury and Reformer

Bedfordshire Assizes
Shadrack ARNOLD, aged 20 was charged with stealing two horse-hair clothes lines, at Clophill, the property of John Horsepool. No true bill.
Northampton Mercury

CUTTING TREES. - At the Easter Sessions for this county, held last week, Robert Appleby and William Peat were charged with having maliciously cut, damaged and destroyed a quantity of trees, to the value of upwards of £1.-Mr. Gunning prosecuted. - Francis Read had the care of Capt. Moore's premises at Maulden. On Saturday the 30th of March, found a great quantity of cherry, apple, peach, plum, pear, and walnut trees and grape vines, gooseberry, rasp-berry, acacia, cedar, rose, arbor vitae. and fir trees, cut and damaged: they were in the lawn and gardens: most of them were totally destroyed, and the injury done was more than £10. There were some recent footmarks of two persons all over the garden. Witness patterned the shoes of the prisoners and they corresponded exactly; the prisoners were not employed there. - John Peat was at the Flying Horse, at Maulden, on the Friday evening; the prisoners were there, and left about half-past nine. Next morning, about seven, found them lying in the straw in Mr. Parish's hovel about 400 yards from Capt. Moore's premises. Went down to the Compasses with them. Peat had a rough newly-cut stick in his hand, which he broke and put on the fire at the Compasses, and in three minutes afterwards Doggett, the constable came; he took off the pieces of stick from the fire. Witness was taken up about this matter, and put in the cage with prisoners: they said they had been cutting some apple, currant, and other trees. Appleby said he should be transported, and Peat would have about a twelve months' imprisonment. - Maria Smith and Jane Odell confirmed the testimony as to the prisoners being at the Compasses. - Vincent Doggett, constable of Clophill, saw the prisoners just after seven on Saturday morning: William Peat had a fresh cut stick in his hand. Was going to Captain Moore's, and the stick gave witness a suspicion that he had cut Captain Moore's trees. Afterwards went to the Compasses, and detained prisoners, and took a stick from the fire. Searched prisoner's and found a knife on Peat, and several on Appleby: Peat's knife appeared as if it had cut some green wood lately; one of Appleby's was marked in like manner. Took the prisoners' shoes from their feet, and patterned with the marks at Captain Moore's garden - Guilty. - Appleby (having been previously convicted) was sentenced to 14 years' transportation, and Peat seven years.
Bucks Herald

Note:- Robert was sent to Van Dieman's Land on the vessel William Jardine. William Peat set sail for Van Dieman's Land ten months later but died on the voyage on the 13 September 1845.

Crown Court Bedford
STEALING CHIPS. - Wm. Richardson was charged with having stolen a quantity of ash root chips, the property of George Horn, of Clophill. - George Horn sworn: I occupy some land at Clophill. Some trees were removed from land in my possession; the roots and stump, belonged to me. I employed prisoner and another to grub them up and stack them in three stacks, and they were to have two stacks for their labour, and I was to have one. They had been at work about a fortnight and had stacked some. I had made no choice, but they took some away and sold it without my leave. - Charles Harris, p.c., 12. On the 4th February saw the prisoner and Henry Willies, about 1 o'clock coming from Mr. Horn's field with a quantity of ash chips. I asked Richardson where he had them from, and he said he had them from Mr. Horn's stack. I took them from him, and be went away. There was a little above a bushel of chips. I took him into custody on the Thursday following. They said they had leave from Mr. Horn to take the chips. Verdict guilty. A previous conviction for felony was then proved. Four calendar months hard labour, first and last weeks solitary. Henry Willis was included in the same indictment, but be pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one month hard labour.
Cambridge Independent Press

NORFOLK CIRCUIT. BEDFORD, Friday, March 14.
(Before Mr. Justice Erle.)
William Devereux and John Devereux were charged with shooting at a man named Worker - first, with intent to murder; second, with intent to do grievous bodily harm; and third, with intent to prevent their lawful apprehension.
Mr. O'Malley, Q.C., and Mr. Burcham were counsel for the prisoners.
It appeared that on the night of the 28th of December, or rather on the morning of the 29th, Worker. and another man of the name of Case, who were game-watchers in the service of Earl de Grey, were out on duty in the Cainhoe-park-wood, a very large preserve of his Lordship's. Between one and two o'clock some men came upon them as they sat beside a barley stack, and on being challenged the men, three in number, two being armed with guns, ran away up a wide drive that led through the wood. The watchers in pursuit closed upon them, and the two armed men faced half-way round, and presenting their guns at the watchers covered their own retreat and that of their companion until they came to a narrow path leading out of the wood. Here one of them fell on his side, turned round upon his back, put his gun to his shoulder, and fired right in the face of Worker, who was within a yard of him at the time. The shot, which appeared to have gone together like a bullet, struck his face near the corner of the mouth, passed through the cheek, and came out at the ear. The face and ear were burnt and the whiskers singed by the powder. The man who fired the shot called out to his armed companion, as he sprang to his feet, to do the same, but no other shot was fired, and the poachers made off. The two prisoners were identified by the watchers, and William was proved to have fired the shot ; and a good deal of evidence was given, tracing them and another man, who. had absconded from the village of Compton, (Campton) where they lived, one mile and a half from the wood, though the fields to the wood and back. A recently discharged gun was found at their house, with wet dirt stuck in the muzzle, and their clothes were found wet and dirty, particularly the trousers of William, which also showed evident symptoms of his having fallen on his knees in the dirt.
Mr. Worlledge defended.
His Lordship told the jury that they might convict on any one or all of the counts, as they were all consistent, and that if they thought the prisoners had gone out with a common purpose of resorting to any degree of violence rather than suffer any of their body to be apprehended, and that the shot was fired in pursuance of such common object, both prisoners would be guilty. If there was no such common object, then only the man who fired would be guilty.
The jury retired, and after some time came into court, and asked if they could find John guilty on one count only?
They were told by his Lordship that both prisoners, if convicted, must he convicted on the same counts; and (sic)
The jury then found both Guilty on the second and third counts.
William was thereupon sentenced to transportation for life, and John to a like punishment for 10 years.
Northampton Mercury

Commitments to Gaol.
Henry Willis, Clophill, labourer. 6 weeks, for poaching,
Cambridge Independent Press

BEDFORD ASSIZES
Clophill. - John Simpson was indicted for the man-slaughter of William Hines, at Clophill, on the 16th of June last. - Mr. J. Hillam Mills prosecuted; Mr. Stephenson defended the prisoner.
The prisoner and his brother Ephraim were watchers employed by the gamekeepers of Earl de Grey, and it appeared that on the night of the 16th of June were challenged to fight by three men in the village of Clophill. Some quarrelling took place, when the deceased hearing a disturbance came out and insisted on fighting the prisoner, saying that he owed him a grudge and that he (the deceased) had thrashed him three times before. A ring was formed and two rounds were fought, in both of which the prisoner was knocked down; in the third both the prisoner and deceased fell together, and one witness called for the prosecution swore that the prisoner on regaining his feet stamped intentionally upon the deceased's stomach as he lay upon the ground. On cross examination it appeared that the fight had been caused by the deceased, and that the prisoner had been attacked by another man after the deceased had been disabled, and it was suggested that the deceased was accidentally injured in the struggle. The deceased survived but two days, and died in great pain from a rupture of the abdomen, caused, according to the medical evidence, by kick or a blow on the stomach. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.
Northampton Mercury

BEDS. QUARTER SESSIONS
LARCENY AT CLOPHILL - John Sear, admitted to bail, surrendered to take his trial on the charge of stealing one mixed cotton tweed coat, of the value of 15s., and one pocket handkerchief of the value of 4d., the property of Joseph Brightman, at Clophill, in this county, on the 30th Sept. last, Not guilty.
Luton Times and Advertiser

Bedford Quarter Sessions
Stealing Knives at Clophill.
Henry Walker, alias Jesse Stanbridge, labourer, was charged with startling two small table knives of the value of 1s., the property of Thomas Worsley, at Clophill, on the 2nd September, 1869. Six months' imprisonment.
Luton Times and Advertiser

BEDS EASTER SESSIONS
Stealing a Gold Watch. (sic)
Wm. Bunker, 41, labourer, was sentenced to six calender mouths' imprisonment for stealing five bushels of potatoes at Clophill, on the 1st. inst., from Wm. Armstrong.
Luton Times and Advertiser

BEDS EASTER SESSIONS
STEALING POTATOES. Thomas Walker (37), and Walter Gummett (29), labourers, were severally sentenced to six calendar months' imprisonment, for stealing five bushels of potatoes at Clophill, on the 1st inst., from William Armstrong.
Bucks Herald

PETTY SESSIONS
Stealing Linen. George Barnard, Clophill, was charged with stealing a pair of women's drawers, value 1s. 6d., the property of Elizabeth Sims, beerhouse keeper, on the 23rd of September. Joseph Hutchings, blacksmith, said on Friday morning early from what he was told by Mr. Sims he went in search of the prisoner, who said if he had such an article about him some one must have put them into his pocket. The prisoner pleaded guilty to having the article in his pocket. Committed for 14 days' imprisonment.
Luton Times and Advertiser

LINSLADE. Petty Sessions, Monday. Before Sir R. T Gilpin, Bart., M.P., Major Hanmer, and Captain Mansell. - Samuel Gaylor, labourer, of Clophill, Beds., and George Deacon,' marina store' dealer, of Leighton Buzzard, were brought up in custody, charged with having stolen from the premises of the London and North-Western Railway Company. at Linslade, on the 1st of October, 85lbs. weight of lead, value 12s, the property of the company. Mr. Hoekin, solicitor, of Euston Square, prosecuted for the railway company; Mr Charles Stimson, of Bedford, defended. Police-constable Beesley at, 7.m. (sic) saw prisoners in New-road talking together. They walked to the station, Gaylor going on to the premises, and Deacon watching the line from the bridge. Gaylor came out with a sack, which the constable found contained 85lbs of lead. Deacon had two inquiries at 'the Goat' that evening for for Gaylor. When charged he denied knowing Gaylor or being near the station that night. Both were committed for trial.
Bucks Herald

VACCINATION. - At the Ampthill Petty Sessions on Thursday, before Major Brooks (chairman), Mr. Jekyll, Major Coventry Campion, Dr. Holland. and Mr. Hatfield Harter, Albert William Cole, bricklayer, William George Abbott. baker, James Woodland, labourer. Walter A Francis, blacksmith, all of Ampthill, Alfred Garner, miller. of Clophill, and Charles Peck, labourer, Gravenhurst were all summoned for neglecting to have their children vaccinated. There were a large number of people in Court evidently interested in the proceedings. In the case of Abbott no fine was inflicted, it being adjourned as be promised to have his child vaccinated. It appeared that the other six defendants objected to the process or principle, for which they were each fined 10s. and 7s. 6d. Costs.
Luton Times and Advertiser

A GAY AND UNRULY MAN. - At the Ampthill Divisional Sessions last Thursday. Harry Gaylor, of Clophill, pleaded guilty to assaulting Emily Gardiner and Fanny Skipper. Miss Gardiner stated that the assault took place on a Sunday evening a short time back, when she was returning home from church, with Miss Skipper, a fellow domestic servant, at the Manor Farm. Defendant rushed from behind a hedge, and put his arms round her neck, and crushed her hat. They both hit him with their umbrellas to keep him off, and he struck them back. He also put his arms round Skipper's neck and threw her umbrella at her. The Superintendent stated that a similar complaint was made against Gaylor some time ago. He admitted that he had been drinking, and was fined in each case 10s. and the costs 10s., or 14 days, to run consecutively.
Luton Times and Advertise

THEFT OF POTATOES. William Gaylor, labourer, of Clophill. was charged at the Ampthill Sessions on Thursday with stealing at Clophill six bushels of potatoes, valued a 12s., from James Peat, a market gardener, on or about April 11. Henry Peat, son of the prosecutor, stated that he left the pits properly covered up, but on returning to the spot on the following Friday he found that some potatoes had been taken. He went to a man named Whittemore's house with a police constable and found about 2 cwt. of potatoes there, which he identified. A lad named Ernest Osborn, stated that while, drawing water at a well in Clophill he noticed defendant carrying a sack full of something, which he left. in Mr. Whittemore's yard. When defendant came from the yard he told witness to say if be were asked the question that he had seen nobody. P.s. Plowman, stationed at Clophill, stated that after receiving information of the alleged theft he apprehended Gaylor, who said "How about the other one." When naked who the other one was he decided to say nothing, but witness afterwards took. Whittemore into custody. Defendant now admitted the charge and had nothing to say to it. He was fined £2 or one month's imprisonment with hard labour, time for payment being, refused. William Whittemore was then charged with receiving the potatoes. He was defended by Mr. F. W. Beck, solicitor, of Luton, who read letters from the Rector of Clophill and Mr. Daniels in proof of his good character. Defendant elected to be tried summarily, and said Gaylor never mentioned where he got the potatoes. The Bench convicted Whittemore, and inflicted a fine of £2.
Luton Times and Advertiser

THEFT OF EGGS. At Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, Edward Middleton and Robert Flute, labourers, of Harrold, were charged with unlawfully taking 17 pheasants eggs at Clophill on May 3. Defendants pleaded guilty. William Skipper, a gamekeeper, said that he saw the defendants searching a hedge. They were coming towards him, and he saw them take 14 eggs out of a nest. Middleton, against whom there was a previous conviction, was fined 1s. for each egg and costs, total 28s. Flute was fined 6d. for each egg and costs, 21s. In default of payment imprisonment for one month.
Luton Times and Advertiser

DRUNKENNESS. At Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, William Bunker, labourer. Clophill, was charged with being drunk on the 19th June. P.s. Harlow proved the case, and defendant pleaded guilty be was fined 2s. 6d. said 5s. 6d. costs, or seven days.
Luton Times and Advertiser

CONVICTIONS FOR DRUNKENNESS. At Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, Henry Gaylor (35), and James Peat (35), labourers, Clophill, and Joseph Savage, dealer, of Cranfield, were charged with being drunk and disorderly on the highways, the first two at Clophill on August 25th, and the third at Cranfield on Sept. 5. P.s. Harlow said that Peat went home when he was told to, and Gaylor. after going home twice, came out and remained outside the "New Inn" for about an hour, " hollering." Two previous convictions of at different character were put in against Gaylor, who was fined 10s. and costs 5s. 6d. or 14 days, and Peat was fined 5s. and 5s. 6d. costs, or 14 day's hard labour. Savage was sent to prison for month with hard labour on the evidence of P.c. Simmonds. Neither of the defendants appeared. George Hill, labourer, of Biggleswade, was charged with being drunk whilst in charge of a carriage on the highway at Clophill on August 25. P.s. Harlow proved the case; defendant did not appear and he was fined and 6s. 6d. costs. There were many previous convictions.
Luton Times and Advertiser

GAYLOR TOO GAY. At Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, Henry Gaylor, (26), labourer, of Clophill, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on the highway at Clophill, on Nov. 28. Defendant pleaded not guilty. P.s. Harlow said that on Wednesday week be was at Clophill, when he heard Mr. Quenby, inside the "Compasses," tell defendant to go out. After some trouble he went home, but be was very drunk and disorderly. Previous convictions were put in, and defendant was lined 15s. with the costs 5s. 6d., or one month's hard labour, time was refused.
Luton Times and Advertiser

AFTER THE HOLLY. At the Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, Frank White, a labourer, of Clophill, was charged with doing wilful damage to three holly trees, the property of Earl Cowper. at Clophill, on Dec 21. He pleaded not guilty. P.s. Harlow said he saw the defendant near the Firs, Clophill, and when he walked away be could see some holly in a bag. He followed the defendant to the village, and questioned him. He admitted he had not had permission to cut it. John Frossel, bailiff to Earl Cowper, said be visited the holly bushes and saw that several pieces had been cut off. In answer to defendant, P.s. Harlow said be did not see him cut the holly as it was too dark, but the holly broken off corresponded with that on the tree. Fined 2s. 6d., with the costs, 11s. 6d.
Luton Times and Advertiser

A SAD FALL. At Ampthill Petty Sessions on Thursday, before Mr. E. J. Jekyl (in the chair), Mr. A. T Trethewy, and Dr. Holland, Herbert Jarman, 65, mealman, of Clophill. was charged with embezzling on April 28 19s., and on July 7 12s., the moneys of George Horn, Clophi11. Mr. C. Stimson appeared to prosecute, and said that before the death of the late Mr. Horn, Jarman had acted as foreman for some ten years. He did not ask for heavy punishment, but it was only in justice to others that the case had been brought forward. William Horn, of Kempston, said the late Mr. George Horn was his father, and owned the mill at Clophill. Defendant was employed by his father as manager or foreman at the Clophill Mill. When his father was away from the Mill, which was frequently, Jarman was in charge, and it was his duty to receive any cash paid during Mr. Horn's absence, and to make an entry of such payments in the book produced. Turning to April 28, there was an entry to "Peet, paid bill, £4 5s." in defendant's hand-writing. On July 7, 1900, there was no entry in the name of Rust of 12s. or any other sum; the first entry should have been for over £5. Defendant pleaded guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Mr. Stimson asked to withdraw the other charges as they would amount to more than 40s. Defendant was sent to prison for three months with hard labour.
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LUTON FISH HAWKERS' QUARREL. At Ampthill Petty Sessions on Thursday, William Gilbert, fishmonger, of 60, New Town-street, Luton, was charged with assaulting Thomas Francis. also of Luton, at Clophill, on August 23rd. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Complainant said he was in Clophill hawking fish, and defendant, without any provocation, came had struck him as he was serving a customer, blacking his eye. Gilbert, in defence, stated that he was at Clophill selling herrings when complainant came up and said his fish were rotten, and on his repeating it, defendant pushed him away from his cart. The case was dismissed, each party to pay their own costs.
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CHARGE OF PERJURY. - At Ampthill Sessions, Fredk. Chas. Palmer, 20, butcher, Clophill, was charged with having committed wilful and corrupt perjury at Ampthill on Nov 21. - Mr. W. W. Marks, Clerk of the Peace, prosecuted,saying that defendant gave evidence on his own behalf in a case against him at that Court for shooting game without having a game licence. It was alleged that part of his evidence so given was false. Evidence was given by H. Hackle, game watcher in the employ of Earl Cowper, Henry and Frederick Grummitt, and S. Mitchell, farmer. The magistrates committed him for trial at the next Assizes, and allowed bail, himself in £50 and two sureties of £25 each. - Ball was accepted.
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FOULING THE AIR. At Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, Walter Roberts, labourer Clophill, was summoned by Supt. Woods for using obscene language on the highway at Clophill on March 19. P.s. Harlow said about 10 p.m he saw the defendant leave the "Compasses" and he began holloring and shouting. Told him to be quiet and go home and then he made use of disgusting language; which he kept on using all the way down the street. Fined 5s. and 7s. 6d. costs. or 14 days
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POACHING. - At Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, George Wheatley (50), Clophill, was charged with poaching on land belonging to James Bone, at Clophill. - John Peel, gamekeeper, said he saw the defendant with a dog, and turn it into a field in the occupation of Chas. Brightman. Defendant stood about while the dog searched the hedge. Defendant said be worked for Mr. Jas. Bone, and went there for the purpose of getting a job. - Fined 5s and 12s. 6d. costs, or 14 days to prison.
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At Ampthill Sessions on Thursday, Henry Gaylor, Clophill, labourer, was charged with leaving his wife and three children chargeable to the common fund of the Ampthill Union on January 3rd. -Mr. M. Jones appeared for the Guardians. - Charles C. Bartram, relieving officer, spoke to Alice Gaylor and three children becoming chargeable and since that date another child had been born in the Workhouse. - Mr. Bartram further bore out the solicitor's statement as to steps that had been taken from time to time by the Guardians to get defendant to take his wife and children out and to fulfil his promise to contribute to their maintenance while there. - Committed for one calendar month's imprisonment.
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A LAME HORSE - At Bedford Divisional Sessions, on Saturday, James Warrick, Clophill, market gardener, was summoned on a charge of causing cruelty to a horse by working it in an unfit state at Elstow, on August 26. He pleaded guilty. - Harold Moore, who said he was driving a motor car at Elstow, said defendant nearly drove into him. The horse was lame and witness pointed it out. He replied that it had been passed by a doctor. - Insp. Roberts. R.S.P.C. A., said he visited defendant on August 31. The horse was still extremely lame and quite unfit for work. Defendant told him it was lame when be bought it, but the man of whom ha obtained it said it would get better. - Defendant said he was sorry. He had offended unawares. He had had the animal only eight weeks, and he agreed to get rid of it at once, at considerable lees to himself, when the Inspector came.- Fined 10s. and 7s. 6d. costs.
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A YOUTHFUL HOUSE BOY. At Ampthill Sessions, Ernest Cooper, labourer, of Clophill, was charged with not sending his child Albert Cooper, to school on Oct. 21. Defendant's wife appeared and said the child was kept at home on account of the whooping cough. - Mr Greenwood said the child only attended 67 times out of 147, in sixteen weeks. The child was eight years of age, and was kept at home to do the work of the house and cook the meals whilst the mother went to work. - Fined 5s. including costs.
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