Shropshire Routes to Roots

David has been arrested!

The Story Continues

A typical Shropshire Police Officer [West Mercia Police Archives] Larger image, in a new window [12kb]

The police constable arrives at the home of David Davies and questions him. David does not admit to his guilt so he is put under arrest and taken to the police station. Here he is further questioned by the station officer and charged with the killing and theft of the sheep. He is locked in the cells overnight to await his appearance before the magistrate in the morning. In the morning the magistrate listens to the evidence given by the farmer and the shepherd and decide that this case must go the the next sitting of the Quarter Sessions in Shrewsbury. In the meantime David is to be held in custody in Shrewsbury Gaol.

What do the family do?

May Davies is devastated. She now faces an unknown future looking after her children and is in serious danger of being evicted from her home. There will be little or no money coming into the house.

The case against David Davies is clear, he pleads guilty. He is questioned about the loss of the first sheep, to which he reluctantly admits guilt. He tries to appeal to the bench of magistrates by saying that his family were starving, but this is ignored. He is sentenced to 7 years transportation to the Colonies.

What would this mean for David Davies? If you want, you can read background information about transportation (Opens in a new window) before you continue the story.

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What do you want to do now?:

• Continue the story of May Davies and the rest of the family: Go
• Restart this adventure: Go

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