John Bales

343

Maureen Withey on 8th March 2021

NORFOLK ASSIZES. John Bales and John Betts, for entering the dwelling-house of Jas. Woodward, of Eaton, in the day-time, and stealing a time-piece, 5 spoons, a toothpick, and other articles. — The evidence against these last prisoners was that of Alderman Thurtell. who saw two men upon Woodward's premises, and pursued them, with assistance, into a plantation, in which plantation the prisoners were taken soon after, and the toothpick was found upon Betts ; but Mr. Alderman T, was unable to swear that they were the same persons whom he pursued. Bales, when called upon for when called upon for his defence, read a long statement, in which he represented that on the day in question he was sent down to Eaton, by Mr. Lubbock, to see if he could make out any thing about a robbery which had been committed there ; that when he was near the cottage, he heard Mr. Thurtell call out, and ran away; but he had nothing about him, and if he had bought any thing, and had had it about him, he should not have thought of coming into any trouble about it; for he had that morning seen Mr. Lubbock, who told him if he bought any thing, to meet him at Whitlingham, where he (Mr. L) would be with his barge. The prisoner then detailed at great length a variety of purchases of stolen property made by him since he was admitted evidence for the Crown when charged with receiving Mr. Ald. Springfield's silk, two years ago, stating that he was instructed by Mr. Lubbock, if any person should offer him stolen property to buy it and bring it to him; for that was the way the officers did in London. — The object of his statement seemed to be to shew that he had honourably carried on the business in which he had been engaged, and that this prosecution was owing to Mr. Lubbock's having deceived by leading him to suppose that the Magistrates were aware of his proceedings, and that he would never come into trouble if any thing he had bought should be found on him. Bury and Norwich Post, 26 July 1826.