Thomas Brooks

342

Maureen Withey on 8th April 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 08 April 2021), April 1821, trial of THOMAS BROOKS (t18210411-19). THOMAS BROOKS, Theft > burglary, 11th April 1821. 506. THOMAS BROOKS was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Daniel Skinner , at St. Marylebone , about eight o'clock in the night of the 3d of March , and stealing therein two counterpanes, value 10 s.; one pelisse, value 6 s.; three gowns, value 12 s.; two petticoats, value 5 s.; one curtain, value 6 d.; one pair of breeches, value 2 s.; one waistcoat, value 1 s.; two jackets, value 8 s.; one apron, value 1 s., and one flute, value 3 s., his property . CHARLOTTE SKINNER. I am the wife of Daniel Skinner , who lives in Portman-green , in the parish of St. Marylebone - there are several houses close to it. I and my husband went out on Saturday morning, the 3d of March, and left nobody in the house; I locked the door and pinned the shutter with an iron pin - the sash slides back it does not draw up, it was fastened with an iron pin in the middle, inside; my husband went home before me, I did not come back till the Saturday following. RICHARD COATES . I produced some clothes and things which I received from Rogers. I found a German flute in the prisoner's pocket at the watch-house. HENRY ROGERS . I am the watchman of St. Marylebone. I met the prisoner at half-past eight on Saturday night, the 3d of March, with this bundle on his head in Upper York-street, about a quarter of a mile from Portman-green, it had been dark about an hour and a half or two hours, then. I stopped him and asked what he had got there - he said dirty linen; he put it down on the post, I put my hand on it and said, "Why this is wearing apparel;" he said "Yes, it is, it belongs to my master who is a pawnbroker;" and that he was carrying them home for his master, who had bought them of another pawnbroker who was selling off; that his master lived in East-street, and he was before him going home with another bundle; I took him to the watch-house with the bundle, heattempted to get away from me, but I secured him, he was searched at the watch-house, and the flute found - I delivered the bundle to Coates. That produced is it. Prisoner Q. Did I not say I found them - A. No. MRS. SKINNER. The parlour window is in front of the house - there is a garden before the house and a path close to the window - there is no area; the things are all ours, they had been left in a box in the bed-room - the box was not locked. I missed a Bible which is not found - here is a counterpane, a quilt, a pelisse, three gowns, a leather apron, a curtain and two petticoats; they are worth 24 s. 6 d. together, and were all in the same box with my husband's clothes. DANIEL SKINNER . I went out with my wife on Saturday morning - I returned on Thursday following, and found the house had been robbed, a pane of glass near the fastening was broke and taken out - by that means they got in. I saw every thing fast before I went - here are a pair of breeches, a waistcoat, two jackets and a flute, which are mine; they are worth 31 s. 6 d. together. Prisoner's Defence. The watchman says I wanted to escape; as I was walking with him my foot slipped, he knocked me down, and said I was trying to get away - I made no resistance. GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 17. Second Middlesex Jury, before Lord Chief Justice Abbott. -------------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/15/40[1821] Prisoner name: Thomas Brooks. Prisoner age: 18. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey April Sessions 1821. Crime: Burglary in the property of David Skinner of Portman Green, Middlesex. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report in Council 30 June 1821. Petitioner(s): Prisoner and 27 inhabitants of London. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Youth; aged and distressed parents; penitent. Additional Information: In Newgate. --------------------------------------------------