Crime(s):
theft : simple grand larceny,
Punishment Type:
branding,
(Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)
Verdict:
Guilty,
353. THOMAS JONES was indicted for stealing a black sattin cloak, value 5 s. a pair of metal shoe buckles, plated with silver, value 1 s. and a pair of stuff shoes, value 1 s. the property of Ambrose Shears, June 1st.
SARAH SHEARS sworn.
I live in Fetter-lane; my husband is a timber-merchant. On the first of June, I had been to spend the evening with my sister in St. John's Square. It has pleased God to afflict me with fits. As I was coming home about half after ten o'clock at night, I found myself poorly in Smithfield; and coming down Snow-hill I fell down in a fit, and lost my things; I cannot say who was about me.
Have you found your property again? - Yes, I saw it before Justice Blackborough.
( The goods mentioned in the indictment were produced in court and deposed to by the prosecutrix.)
Cross Examination.
Was you sober? - Yes.
Had you any conversation with the prisoner that day? - Not that I
know of.
Court. How long was you in the fit? - I suppose I was two hours before I came to myself.
JOHN HOLLINGWORTH sworn.
I am a watchman; I was going my rounds at ten o'clock on Snow-hill, coming down Cock-Court, I saw a man and a woman; the woman was sitting on her backside; he was behind her holding her by the arms; he desired me to go and get a coach, he said his wife was in fits. I went to Smithfield to get a coach; when I returned the man was gone. The woman was lying on her back still in a fit. I stayed some time till she came to herself; she lost her cloak and shoes; I asked her if she had any money; she said she had fifteen shillings; she felt in her pocket, and her money was gone; I did not know what to do with her; the constable came, and we took her to the watch-house; there she lay till two in the morning; one of the watchmen learned where her husband lived, and sent to him, and he came at two o'clock and took her home.
Was the man you saw supporting her the prisoner? - Yes, I saw the prisoner afterwards before the Justice; I described him before I saw him; I was in the room; he was sent into the room; I knew him directly.
THOMAS ISAACS sworn.
I apprehended the prisoner on the first of June in Turnmill-street, Clerkenwell, upon an information for another affair. I saw these things under his coat; I asked him what they were; he said they were his wife's; there was a cloak and a pair of shoes. As we were going along he said he bought them that morning at the bottom of the Minories, near Rag fair, for six shillings, who he bought them of he said he could not tell.
JONATHAN REDGRAVE sworn.
I was with Isaacs and the other watchman at the apprehending of the prisoner on the first of June after eleven o'clock at night; we took him going up a narrow passage to his lodgings; Isaacs found the things under his coat, and asked him, what they were; he said, nothing but what he had bought for his wife; that he gave six shillings for them in
Rag-fair; I searched him, and found a pair of buckles in his inside pocket; he said they were his own.
(They were produced in court and deposed to by the prosecutrix.)
JOHN DINMORE sworn.
I was at the apprehending of the prisoner, but was not time enough to see the things taken from him; I heard him say first that they were his wife's, then that he bought them in Rag-fair.
PRISONER's DEFENCE.
On the first of June, going down Snow-hill, I met that woman; she appeared to be very much in liquor; she took hold of my arm, and desired me to see her home. We had not gone far before she went up a passage, and said she would go no farther. I called to the watchman to go and get a coach. I then went down to the Fleet-market to buy something for supper, and when I returned the woman and watchman were both gone; and I picked up a cloak and a pair of shoes and buckles. As I was going home, the watchman laid hold of me. I intended to have had the things advertised the next day.
(The prisoner called four witnesses, who gave him a good character.)
GUILTY.