Theft of a knife - petty sessions

William Ansell of Elm Street, Hertford and Henry Spinks of Green Street, Hertford were summoned for stealing a table knife.

William Worsley, landlord of the Red Cow, Crib Street, Ware stated that on on November 3rd the defendants and a third man went to his house and were served with bread and cheese. The table knife produced was handed to them and when they had gone it was missed. He went after them and they returned to the house and after some conversation Spinks turned the knife out of his packet at Ansell’s bidding. P.S. Moles said that when he arrested the men Ansell said that Spinks took the knife, but he (Ansell) did not know it at the time. Spinks said the knife was in his pocket, but how it got there he did not know. Ansell said he was not guilty of the offence.

The case against Ansell was dismissed but Spinks was fined 10 shillings.