Sarah Berry

341

Maureen Withey on 29th August 2019

Sarah was convicted at the Old Bailey. SARAH BERRY, Theft simple larceny, 8th July 1830. 1377. SARAH BERRY was indicted for stealing, on the 3rd of July , 5 half-crowns, 2 shillings, and 1 sixpence, the monies of Thomas Tull . THOMAS TULL. I am servant to a gentleman at Shepherd's-bush. I was returning home about twelve o'clock at night on the 3rd of July; I met the prisoner in Hammersmith - she caught hold of my arm, and asked me to go down a lane with her, which I did; I had five half-crowns, two shillings, and a sixpence in my left-hand breeches pocket, and some other silver in my other pocket - I am not married: while I was with the prisoner she picked my pocket - I had given her a shilling; when I missed the money I accused her of robbing me - a man came up and knocked me down; another man then came up, and said, "Stop his mouth!" two or three men came up; I called for the Policeman - the men then ran away, and the Policeman came in a few minutes; the prisoner attempted to run away, but she was taken - I accused her of robbing me; she said she had not, but the money was found on her - this money could not have fallen from my pocket - I was standing up all the time. Cross-examined by MR. LEE. Q.Where had you been? A.With a friend; we had drank a quart or three pints of beer after dinner, and at dinner I had about half a pint of porter - I was perfectly sober: there were no lamps - it was not very dark; my breeches were not down, but they were unbuttoned - I gave charge of the prisoner directly; I did not say that I had lost 5s., then 7s. 6d., then 10s., and then 14s. 6d. - I think the prisoner had 1l. 1s. 8d. on her in all, I cannot exactly say. MARK KING. I heard the alarm - I went up, and saw some men near the prisoner; she was running - the men followed me up the lane, but when I took the prisoner I lost sight of them; the prosecutor accused her of robbing him; he seemed to me to be sober - she denied it at first, but in going along she said she would undo her pocket, and give it me - there was 1l. 1s. 2d. in it; in going to the watch-house she said she would give him the money if he would say nothing about it: I found five half-crowns on her. Cross-examined. Q.Was there not some conversation about taking the money, and she said rather than have any piece of work she would give him the money? A. No - I think it was twenty minutes before I offered to search the prisoner; she could not have thrown it away without my seeing it - I should think not five minutes elapsed from my hearing the cry till I came up. GUILTY. Aged 35. - Transported for Seven Years. Source: Old Bailey online. Sydney Gazette, 12 July 1832 Absconded prisoners Sarah Berry, No. 31-158, Earl Liverpool, 36, All-work, Hammersmith, 5 feet ¾, hazel eyes, dark brown hair, pale comp. from Mr. J. McNaughton.