Read Online The Ledbury Lamplighters by Kerry Tombs - Free Book Online

may have felt particularly aggrieved,’ replied Simpson.
    â€˜Anyone who comes to mind?’
    â€˜There was a particular nasty case some three or four years ago. One of the local villains by the name of Leewood. Came from a bad family. I think he was up on a charge of theft. There was never any doubt about his criminality. Mr Montacute found him guilty and sentenced him – but Leewood protested his innocence in quite forceful terms.’
    â€˜How do you mean?’ asked Ravenscroft.
    â€˜Leewood tried to climb over the rails and attack Mr Montacute, saying he had not committed the crime and that he would get even with him one day.’
    â€˜What happened next?’ enquired Crabb.
    â€˜Mr Montacute, he was having none of it, and quite right as well. He sent him down for a longer term. Perhaps you would like to see the records?’
    â€˜That would be most helpful, Mr Simpson.’
    â€˜This way, gentlemen. If you would care to follow me.’
    Ravenscroft and Crabb followed the clerk down a long corridor and into a large room at the back of the building. Simpson walked over to a set of shelves on one of the walls and looked through a row of ledgers until he lifted one down which bore the year 1885 on its spine.
    â€˜I think the event you are looking for occurred in this year, although it might be a year later,’ said Simpson, turning over the pages of the large volume. Ravenscroft leaned over his shoulder, looking down at the pages of neat copperplate handwriting, while Crabb busied himself by casting an eye over the contents of the room.
    â€˜Ah, here we are,’ said the clerk presently, pointing to an entry on one of the pages.
    Ravenscroft leaned forward and began to read. ‘12 June 1885. Joshua Leewood stands accused of stealing three shillings from the premises of John Freeman. Accused pleads not guilty. Evidence called from John Freeman and his servant Maggie Trubshaw who say they both saw accused take the money. Accused says he was elsewhere at the time of the theft. Accused found guilty and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour at Hereford gaol, by Mr Justice Nathaniel Montacute. Accused then attempted to assault bench but was restrained by officers and was then sentenced for a further three years on a charge of threatening behaviour.’ Very interesting. So Leewood had his sentence doubled; he received six years in prison.’
    â€˜That would seem to rule him out then in regard to this murder. I reckon he has another two years left to run on his sentence,’ said Crabb.
    â€˜Hmm, that would appear to be the case. I suppose there is always the possibility that Leewood was released early,’ said Ravenscroft, looking up from the ledger.
    â€˜Might have escaped?’ suggested Crabb.
    â€˜We need to find out what happened to Leewood. Crabb, send a telegram to the gaol in Hereford, asking what they can tell us about him. Mr Simpson, you have been most accommodating and informative. I don’t suppose you can tell us anything more about this Leewood? You mentioned that he came from a bad family.What exactly did you mean by that?’
    â€˜The Leewoods have always been a bad lot in Ledbury for as long as I can remember. The father, Rufus, went inside several times, usually on counts of stealing and poaching and suchlike. He died about ten years ago. That’s when Joshua took over.’
    â€˜So this Joshua Leewood had been up before the magistrates before?’ asked Ravenscroft, as the three men began to make their way to the front of the building.
    â€˜I can think of at least three former occasions. Usually petty things – bit of stealing, the odd pheasant poached, that sort of thing,’ replied Simpson.
    â€˜So he had been sent to prison before?’ asked Crabb.
    â€˜He was usually fined but yes, he had been inside for a few months, a year or so before this incident,’ replied Simpson.
    â€˜You say