AS part of our weekly Crime Files series, we are taking a look back at the archives to bring you stories from Herefordshire's history.
The following story dates from 1856.
A HEREFORDSHIRE butcher was transported for 14 years after being found guilty of stealing cattle in 1856.
Butcher George Williams, of Llangarron, appeared before Hereford Assizes in August that year charged with stealing four heifers from farmer William Hopkins of Monmouthshire.
The court heard Mr Hopkins had been sent a letter in July the previous year, which had prompted him to go to Harewood End in Herefordshire.
There, he saw four heifers which belonged to him, and which his son also confirmed were cows that had last been seen on their farm some five weeks earlier.
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The black cows, which Williams had attempted to sell for £29, the court was told, matched the description of those missing from the Monmouthshire farm,
Williams, who had previously been transported for 10 years for stealing 14 ewes and four lambs, said he had bought the heifers from a John Huntley of Breconshire, who denied having ever had any dealings with him.
He was sentenced to 14 years transportation in Australia for the offence.
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