Swede turnip thefts (1869)

Post date: Mar 20, 2013 5:13:45 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 6th February 1869, reporting on Malling Petty Sessions.

SYSTEMATIC STEALING OF SWEDE TURNIPS AT WATERINGBURY.

Margaret Cripps was charged with stealing 2 1/2 bushels of swede turnips, the property of Mr C. Leney, of Wateringbury, value 1s. P.C. Hoare deposed to finding in prisoner's house 2 1/2 bushels of swedes. He asked her how she came by them, and she said she had taken them from Mr Leney's field, on the Tuesday and Wednesday previous. Henry Burr, bailiff to Mr C. Leney, said that in consequence of missing a great many turnips he informed the police of it. The swedes were not growing, but clamped. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 14 days' hard labour.

Eliza Simmons was also charged with stealing 1 1/2 bushel of swede turnips, the property of Mr C. Leney, of Wateringbury, on the 28th of January. P.C.Hoare proved to going to prisoner's house and under the staircase found 9 swede turnips, when she said she picked them on the road as they fell from Mr Leney's cart, and that the boy in the cart saw her pick them up. He then said to her," You knew they were Mr Leney's." She replied, " Yes." In a lodge in the back of the premises he found 10 more. Prisoner—You asked me the name of the boy. I told you the children picked them up. Mr Burr, bailiff to Mr Leney, was called, and proved to missing the turnips. A girl had said that boy had told her a bushel had dropped from the cart. Prisoner said that she picked them up in the road; she did not steal them. She picked up 10, and her children the other 8. Sentenced to seven days' hard labour. Supt. Hulse said that there was about 1 1/2bushels of turnip pealings found upon prisoner's premises.

Mary Ann Simmons was likewise charged with stealing swede turnips, the property Mr C. Leney. Prosecutor declined to press the case in this instance and prisoner was accordingly discharged with a caution as to her future course.