You may have already seen this account from Berrow's Worcester Journal, Thursday, December 31, 1846
SHEEP STEALING
On Wednesday last a labourer called William Hawker, living at Welland, was committed by the Rev C. Dunne to take his trial at the ensuing sessions, for sheep stealing.
Some days ago Mr Thomas Price of Castlemorton, lost a sheep from his flock which were feeding on the common but gave no information to the police as it was thought that it had strayed from its fellows.
The active Police officer, Raby, however hearing that this Hawker had been living beyond his means, that is feasting on something when he did not know how to get his salt with it, began to enquire whether some animal had not been missed in the neighbourhood.
Having learnt Mr Price's loss and having obtained a description of the skin from that gentleman, he paid a visit to Hawker's house on Tuesday evening in company with Archer, the Welland constable.
Just as they reached the house Hawker came out with a candle in his hand, and went round to a shed at the back of the premises.
Presently he returned with a bag on his shoulders, and whilst he was depositing this in a cupboard Raby and Archer pounced upon him.
On further searching the house various joints of mutton were found, making in all about a quarter of a sheep.
Mr Price at once identified the skin and so Hawker was sent to spend his Christmas holidays in gaol.
Judith