The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-08-22 00:00:00

BRIDPORT.
CHARGES OF STEALING AND RECEIVING

CORN.

TNo serious charger., one against a respectable
ord. were preferrad on Saturday before the County
loch, J. M. P. Montagu awl S. W. Whethatn, Bags.
Hobert Marsh, farm labourer, Brsdpole, was
chargel in cuitody with stealing a sack, or 318 1b.., of
corn, value £l, the property of hi, muter, Mr. Alfred
Millar, yeoman, Bradpole, on lb. previous day.
Tampa. Stone, landlord of the "Keep "Inn, Brad.
uolo. wee iu clstody cluuled w.th receiving the same,
knowing it to be atolen. Primmer,' were undefended.
Prosecutor maid he resided at 1-alp de, and prisoner
\tarsi] w rked for him. Stool wat a publican and
master carponter, living in the parish. On the morn.
in previous he lost a sack ~1 whe it from a stable
belonving liMr. Thomas Gibb.. He saw the wheat
on the previou. night ( Thursday.) Hi found it was
gone the next day. The wheat was taken away
In a sack.

A sample of wheat which had been taken from the
stable, to be compared with that stolen, was
now produced in separate bags, and In.pected by
Bench.
Prosecutor said the corn in the large bag was found
at Loden! Mill. He identified the wuole of the sample,
in court as his property. The prisoner Stone had
purchased two sacks of wheat of ham about ail weeks
since, but it was not the same sort as this.
Mrs. Ann Gibbs, widow, of Bradpole, said Mr.
Gibbs rented the stable of her. On the morning of
the previous day (Friday), about seven o'clock, she
saw a donkey-cart opposite the door of the stable. A
, son of the pri ;ones Stone, about 15 years of age, MY
with the cart. She saw a bag there, which did nut
appear to be empty. The bag WU on the at meg near
the door. She saw Hobert Marsh take up the bag
and put it into the cart. and Stone's boy went away
with it.

James Reader, miller, tr.c., of Loders Mill, said that
on the morning previous, about 7.45, &one's little boy
came with a donkey and waggon to his mill, leaving
some wheat to be ground. The large white bag was
the one left,
_ _

P.C. Tom Custard, of Brsdpole, said he went to
the Hasp Inn about I p.m. on the previous day.
Thomas Stone was there, and he asked him for the
whest his boy had brought there from M. Miller's in
the moi Lung. Stone, from a dark plea), brought out
two large brown bagi c intaining wheat. Witness
salted hien if that was all he ha I from Mush, and
be answered "'1t0,." W toe.. then went to the
prisoner 'Marsh at hi. house, and charged him with
stealing • sack of wheat from Mr. Millar. This was
In the presence of prosecutor. Witness cautioned
Marsh, who said he had bad nothing to do with wheat
that day. Wallah then took him into custody, and
on the way to the station he became violent, and he
had to get assistance When at the station he was
naked by the sergeant if he understood the charge. and
ha said "Yes, for stealing wheat, but as Mr. Stone
was in the habit of having wheat from my master I
let him have some." Witness then wont to lb. Hnap,
and seeing Stone there charged him with receiving the
wheat, knowing that Marsh hail not come by it
humidly. A tew minutes afterwards St .ne said he
knew there was something wrong, b cause the boy
briught es much in the morning. Witness obtained
the wheat from isoders Mill. He rot the other
sample from the stable occupied by Mr. gW,er.
By request of the Bench, prosecutor wise re-sailed,
and in reply to • gm:scion, said he never authorised him
man to sell any wheat, or to let go any In his absence.
No servant of his had ever dose so to his knowledge
before.
The prisoners were then formally charged, and
elected to be dealt with summarily. Marsh pleaded
guilty. Stone said he did not receive the corn with
felonious iuteat—he was not aware that the wheat
was stolen.
The Chairman said Stone had received the cora by
hi, own confession, and if be thought, as he had said,
that there was something wrong he should have made
enquiries. A. there wee nothing previous sgainst him
he would be fined 20—(sensation in Court)—in default,
til.trese or two months impels lament. Marsh was
reminded that being a servant he should be the last
man to rob • master'-'he would be fined £3, in default,
distress or one month's imprisonment.
The Court was crowded daring the hearing of the
case.