Thomas Judd, of Hertford, was charged with stealing eight cauliflowers, value 2s.8d., the property of Mr C. H. F. Leslie, at Hertingfordbury on November 3rd. William Stonebridge, gardener to Mr Leslie, stated that he missed eight cauliflowers from the garden on Saturday, November 3rd. He valued them at 2s.8d.
Walter Whittick, an under-gardener, said he saw the defendant in the garden at a quarter to 5 p.m. with a cauliflower in his hand. Ernest Rayment, a stable-boy to Mr Leslie, said he saw the defendant with a cauliflower at the same time. Defendant got away over the fence. P.S. Hadder produced a cauliflower which he found in the defendant’s house at 9 o’clock on the Saturday night in question. When he saw the defendant later, the latter told him that his wife had bought it at Mrs Currell’s in St Andrews Street. Witness had ascertained from Mrs Currell that neither the defendant nor his wife bought any cauliflowers from her that day. The defendant said he had the cauliflower given to him; and he called John Costin of Hertford who said that he gave him the cauliflower produced which he pulled from his own garden on the Friday night. Mr Stonebridge was recalled and said the cauliflower which was found at the defendant’s house had been placed on a stalk in the garden and it fitted exactly. The stalk was produced.
The Chairman said Judd had not got a clean record by a long way and he would be fined £1 or, in default, 14 days’ hard labour.
A fortnight was allowed for payment.
Add your comment about this page