John Blenheim

342

Maureen Withey on 20th December 2023

Source: Old Bailey online. Session date, 1 Dec 1813. 61. JOHN BLENHIM , WILLIAM WERRELL , and JAMES WELCH , were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of James Parker , about the hour of eight, on the night of the 29th of November , with intent the goods and chattels therein being burglariously to steal . JAMES PARKER . I am the son of James Parker ; my father is an optician ; he lives at 53, Princes-street . The prisoners broke the window on the 29th of November, at eight o'clock. I snuffed the candles; I saw the windows were perfectly safe. In about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour I heard a noise at the window. They cut the putty out, and pushed the glass in. I heard the noise. I went out and saw the officers take the boys. Q. They drove the window in - A. Yes. Q. You went out, and saw the boys in the hands of the officers - A. Yes, that is all I know. WILLIAM NICOLLS . I am an officer of Bow-street office. On the 29th of November I saw the two prisoners Blenhim and Welch at Mr. Parker's shop window. I perceived Blenhim moving his hand close to the glass; Blenhim and Welch were close together. I saw the motion of Blenhim's hand as if he was cutting the putty from glass. They both went away from the window, and then all the three prisoners got together, and just at the end of the shop window they were conversing together. Then the prisoners Welch and Blenhim left Werrall and went to the window again. I saw Blenhim in the same act as before stated. They both left the window again, and the three prisoners got into conversation at the window again; during the time a cart was going by the door. The prisoner Welch went to the glass, and pushed the glass in; he returned back to the other two, and said I have done it. The two prisoners Blenhim and Welch came to the other window, and Werrall crossed over the way. I saw Blenhim put his hand into the hole in the glass; he took his hand out, and removed half way up to the front of the window; he returned to Welch at the other window. I saw the prisoner Blenhim put his hand in again; the prisoner Welch stood at his right; there was a whistle from the other side of the way; they were making off with them. I took them into custody. I searched Blenhim, and found a knife on him, a tobacco box and a tobacco stopper. Q. When you first saw Blenhim and Welch where was Werrall then - A. At first he was standing two doors off. THOMAS POYNTINGTON . I was with Nicolls on the 29th. The same night I apprehended Welch at the window. I have heard what Nicolls has stated, it is correct. I did not see the lad's hand in the window. ABRAHAM FARRER. I am an officer. What Nicolls has said is correct. I apprehended Werrall. I know no more than what Nicolls has stated. I did not see the hand in the window; a cart was going by at the time. Q. to James Parker . You lost nothing - A. No. Blenhim's Defence. I went with Welch to take a parcel to the Golden Cross, Charing Cross. Coming by we saw the window broken. Nicolls the officer came and took us in custody; neither of us broke it. Welch's Defence. I had been to the Golden Cross to take a parcel. Coming along that street the officer Nicolls took me. I know nothing of breaking the glass at the window. Werrall's Defence. I am a shoemaker. I was working with my father until half past nine at night, and as I was coming along there Nicolls took me in custody. BLENHIM GUILTY - Death , aged 17. WERRALL GUILTY - Death , aged 17. WELCH GUILTY - Death , aged 15. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Recorder.