Cambridge Chronicle 1 Jul 1837: Theft of flour from Mr Badcock
Thomas Brown stood indicted with stealing a quantity of flour, the property of Mr. Badcock, miller of Trumpington. The prosecutor stated that the prisoner was in his employment a fortnight, and that, in consequence of what he had heard he searched the mill and missed some flour. The prisoner was seen on the day of the robbery by a policeman, with the flour on his back. Ann Carpenter stated that the prisoner came to her house on the day in question, and asked her if she would take him as a lodger, as he was going to set up in business as a flour seller; and told her that he had bought half a sack of flour of Mr. Badcock. He went away from her house, and afterwards returned with the flour, in company with two policemen by whom he was apprehended. The prisoner was taken to the Station-house, and told the Inspector that he had no doubt he should be transported for stealing the flour, and that if he was he would bring back a monkey to scratch his head. The prisoner, in his defence, said he bought the flour of a man at Trumpington, who was coming by in a bakers cart. Guilty to be transported for seven years.