Thomas Neech

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Maureen Withey on 29th May 2023

Thomas Neech (aged 41,) and Thomas, otherwise Andrew Turner (aged 37,) were charged with having stolen two sheep, the property of Cornelius Gibson of the parish of Willingham ; The prosecutor, Mr. Gibson said he was farmer at Willingham, that on the evening of Monday the 4th of May he counted his sheep, when there were 19 ; the next morning when he w'ent into the field he found but 17, and looking round perceived a gap in the hedge from the lane, with footmarks about it, and wool hanging on the hedge ; saw where a cart had turned from the road from Beccles to Wangford, which is the direct road to Norwich ; took measure of the width of the wheels and length of the tires, the horse had been recently shod and the shoes turned up behind, likewise remarkable footmark, the shoe being nailed across the ball of the foot, with uncommonly large nails. On Thursday morning he went in h consequence of some information to Mr. Chandlers, landlord of the Red Lion, Bishopsgate Street, Norwich, who shewed him a horse and cart which corresponded in all respects with the measures which had taken, he afterwards went to Mr. Ketts, a butcher, who shewed him two sheepskins, one of which had a branded on the right side, and the other marked though not so plain, but he had no hesitation, in saying they were the skins of the sheep ; he was shewn a pair of high shoes nailed in similar manner by Brown, the turnkey of Norwich county jail. Baml. Chandler said he was the landlord of the Red Lion, knew the prisoners, and saw them on Saturday, May 2nd, they told him they had bought some sheep of Mr. Gower, and wanted him to buy some of the mutton, he told them he had no objection if it was as cheap as he could buy of any one else, they came again on Tuesday morning about a quarter before 5, in a cart with two sheep, Turner killed them and he helped dress them, and Neech came backward and forwards, he did not like the look of the mutton and refused to buy, upon which they took it to market, the sheep were both ewes, and a day or two afterwards when Mr. Gibson came, he shewed him the horse and cart the prisoners came in. Geo. Kett, a butcher at Norwich remembered seeing the prisoners on the Tuesday morning coming across the market, with a basket of mutton, and asked him to buy it, at 6s. a stone, he refused to buy the mutton but took the skins. He went home and locked them up, and going back found them selling the mutton for 2s. Gd. a stone ; the flesh appeared much bruised and muddled ; he shewed the skins afterwards to Mr. Gibson, he could plainly see a branded on one skin, and could faintly discern the same mark on the other. John Brown, one of the turnkeys, in the in the county gaol, had the prisoners in custody, and ... Suffolk Chronicle, 4 July 1835.

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Maureen Withey on 29th May 2023

National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/90/124. Date: 12 Aug 1835. Prisoner name: Thomas Neech (Thomas Neach). Prisoner age: 41 years. Court and date of trial: Suffolk Quarter Sessions, Ipswich, 1 July 1835. Crime: Sheep stealing, namely two sheep the property of Cornelius Gibson of Willingham, Suffolk. Initial sentence: Transportation for life. Gaoler's report: 'Character indifferent'. Annotated (Outcome): 'Answered 27 August 1835'. Petitioner(s): 276 inhabitants of Beccles, Suffolk or its environs known to the convict including various magistrates and town officials. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Previous good character; first offence; led astray by designing men; the trial was switched from Beccles to Ipswich at two days notice and five character witnesses who attended Beccles were unable to travel to Ipswich; sentence is too severe; his family are totally unprovided for. Additional Information: Convicted with Andrew Turner alias Thomas Turner.

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Dennis Nightingale on 29th May 2015

12397 Neech Thomas - Strathfieldsaye 1836. 1844 27 July - Maitland MM. Obtained ticket of leave.