Sheik Brom

70

Pete@Clyde on 5th September 2024

Proceedings of the Old Bailey: SHEIK BROM. Theft; theft from a specified place. 7th April 1824. 679. SHEIK BROM was indicted for stealing, on the 4th of March , at All Saints, Poplar , in the dwelling-house of Francis Robinson , three coats, value 19 s.; two pairs of trowsers, value 12 s.; four waistcoats, value 12 s.; a pair of breeches, value 1 s.; two handkerchiefs, value 4 s.; a pair of gaiters, value 1 s.; two pairs of stockings, value 2 s.; a pair of shoes, value 1 s.; a towel, value 6 d.; five gloves, value 6 d., two sovereigns and six shillings, the property of William Green . WILLIAM GREEN . I am clerk to Francis Robinson , who is a provision-merchant, and has a depot for the reception of black men; it is a building attached to his dwelling-house, No. 72, High-street, in the parish of All Saints, Poplar. There is a communication between his dwelling-house and this building. I sleep in the depot with the men. I have a room there for myself, and always keep it locked in the day-time, and keep the key in my pocket. On the 5th of March there was nobody but the prisoner and one more man there, and about seven o'clock that morning I missed from my room a blue great coat, two coats, two pairs of trowsers, four waistcoats, a pair of breeches and gaiters, a towel, two black silk handkerchiefs, two pairs of white cotton stockings, five leather gloves, two sovereigns, and six shillings. I had seen them all safe the morning before, about twelve o'clock. I locked my door then, and found it locked in the evening when I went to bed, but the key went very hard. I did not then miss the things, as I did not look for them. About eight o'clock on the morning after I missed them, I saw the prisoner in the depot washing himself. DOUGLAS TOWNS . My husband is a seaman. I live with my father, Jonathan Dodd , who keeps a tobacconist's shop. The prisoner used to come there to buy snuff, and on Thursday the 4th of March, between two and three o'clock, he came with a great coat and waistcoat to sell. I bought them of him for 7 s. I produce them. He came back again with some things in a towel, and asked if I could get them washed; he had a pair of breeches, a pair of gaiters, five gloves, and a towel. I said I would wash them for nothing, as I had bought the other things. I gave them to the officer on Friday. JOHN DAWSON . I am apprentice to Mrs. Merrit, pawnbroker, Ratcliff-highway. I have two coats which the prisoner pawned on the 4th of March in the evening for 8 s., in the name of Jack Brown . DAVID GIDGEON . I am shopman to Mr. Harrison, who lives at Shadwell. On the 4th of March, between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, the prisoner sold me three waistcoats and a pair of trowsers. He said he wanted money, and had no use for them. I gave them to Beechey. JAMES BEECHEY . I received a pair of breeches from Townes, a pair of gaiters, five gloves, a towel, a blue great coat, and a waistcoat. Gidgeon gave me three waistcoats, a pair of trowsers, a coat, and a waistcoat. When I apprehended the prisoner I found 17 s. 6 d. sewed up in his drawers. I had asked if he had any money - he said he had only 2 d. (Property produced and sworn to.) The evidence was communicated to the prisoner through an interpreter, and he stated that one Captain Maxwell had given him the clothes. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 22. Recommended to Mercy, being a foreigner .

70

Pete@Clyde on 5th September 2024

From his Ticket of Leave: born Surat, India.