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James William (1) Woodhurst served in the Metropolitan Police from 1865 until his death in 1884, during which period he rose from constable to the rank of Inspector. Below are two witness testimonies given by him during trials at the Old Bailey, extracted from the Proceedings of the Old Bailey.
Case 483: May 28th 1877.
[Defendant JOHN BAKER, charged with theft (animal theft)]
[Witness JAMES WOODHURST (policeman, X38)]
I was at the station when the prisoner was brought in at 12.30 a.m. - I asked him how he became possessed of the lamb - he said 'I picked up a portion of it on the other side of the railway' - I said 'How do you account for that blood on your slop' - he said 'It was caused through carrying the lamb' - there was blood both on the front and back of it - I afterwards saw the bundle brought in, and said to the prisoner 'Do you know anything of this coat and meat?' - he said 'No' - I said 'Is this your knife?' - he said 'I know nothing about it' - while I was taking the charge he said 'I took the hind quarters out of the coat; I found it all together'."
[Verdict - guilty of receiving. Sentence - nine months' confinement.]
Case 118: December 12th 1881.
[Defendant JAMES HARRIS, charged with deception (perjury)]
[Witness JAMES WOODHURST (Police Inspector)]
"On the evening of 8th, Day [Henry Day, who had been accused by the defendant] was brought to the station in custody from the prisoner's information - he was taken before the Magistrate next day and discharged, and the prisoner committed."
[Verdict - guilty. Sentence - three months' hard labour.]