At Cheshunt Petty Sessions on Wednesday, Christopher Parker, of Duke Street, Hoddesdon, carman, was charged with stealing a bushel of mixed corn, value 2s. 6d., the property of Philip Tofts, on September 21, and James Huttlestone, of Amwell Street, Hoddesdon, cab proprietor, was charged with receiving the same, well knowing it to have been stolen.
Philip Tofts, of Amwell Street, Hoddesdon, said that on Tuesday, September 21, at 6.40 a.m. he went to the ‘Horse Shoes’ yard and examined a sack which contained a mixture of horses’ food. It belonged to him, and he valued it at 2s. 6d.. Parker had been in his employ on and off for three years. He was not authorized to take any of the mixture anywhere else.
Archibald Jennings, of Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, engine driver, stated that at 6.40 on Tuesday morning he was coming down Waterworks Road. He saw Mr Tofts’ cart turn into Rye Road, and he also saw Parker take a bag from the cart and pass it over a fence to Huttlestone. He did not speak to either of the men.
Huttlestone: ‘Didn’t I use the bag as a bait to catch my black horse?’ ‘No, I saw you with the horse, but you were carrying the sack on your back.’
P.c. Wilsmore gave evidence of going to the Horse Shoes stables, which were rented by Huttlestone. He saw a bag, containing a quantity of mixture, which Mr Tofts said belonged to him. He afterwards interviewed Huttlestone, who said he knew nothing about the mixture. He saw Parker who said: ‘About 6.30 a.m. I saw Huttlestone against the pond. He wanted a bushel of potatoes, which I handed to him, and which I received from my mate, Thomas Keats. I did give him some horses’ food, and he gave me 6d. for it. It was not potatoes as I had previously stated.’ The witness took Parker into custody, and then went and arrested Huttlestone, who said: ‘I was catching some horses in the field when Parker went by and said he had a piece of rough stuff, which he gave me, and I threw it down in the field. I admit I gave him sixpence for it. I am sorry I was such a silly thing, but it is done and can’t be helped.’
The prisoners elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty.
The prosecutor gave Parker a good character, and said he was quite willing to keep him on.
The Bench fined Parker one guinea or 13 days, and Huttlestone £5 2s. or five weeks, the chairman remarking that it was a serious case.
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