Children of Clementina and William Coombes

Robert Coombs was charged with stealing hurdles from Mr. R. Fooks, of Creepe Farm, Symondsbury.—P.C. Murray deposed to seeing prisoner, near the London Inn, with a bundle of hurdles broken up. On asking how he came by them, he stated that he found they on Eype Down, where he saw a man throw them down.—Mr. Manley cross-examined the witness to show that prisoner did not refuse to give them up.—Mr. Robert Fooks deposed that, about one o'clock in the morning of 12th July, P.C. Murray came to his house and informed him of what had occurred. He got up, and went to a field where some hurdles were the previous evening, and found nothing left but a piece, now produced, about six inches in length, which exactly fitted one of the sticks in the bundle.—Mr. Manley here observed that, ever such evidence, he could say no more; but intimated, in mitigation of punishment, that the prisoner was not proved to have been in the field.—Prisoner, in defence, stated that he saw a man drop them on Eype Down as he was leaving work, and thought to himself that "second plunder was best," and so took them up.—Prosecutor stated that prisoner had stolen turnips from him in November last, and had suffered 21 days' imprisonment for it.—The Bench considering this was his second offence, sentenced him to three months hard labour at Dorchester gaol, and trusted this would be a warning to him for the future.