John Butler

135

C H on 27th February 2024

Old Bailey Online JOHN BUTLER. WILLIAM BAILEY. WILLIAM BRIDGES. Theft; grand larceny (to 1827). 12th January 1820. Text type Trial account Defendants JOHN BUTLER, WILLIAM BAILEY, WILLIAM BRIDGES Offences Theft > Grand larceny Session Date 12th January 1820 Reference Number t18200112-122 Verdicts Guilty, Guilty, Guilty Punishments Transportation 332. JOHN BUTLER , WILLIAM BAILEY , and WILLIAM BRIDGES were indicted for stealing, on the 9th of December , one spoon, value 2 s., and one cream-jug, value 4 s. , the property of Thomas Johnson . SARAH RAGSHAW . I am servant to Mr. Thomas Johnson , who lives in York-street, Baker-street, Portman-square . On the 9th of December, about half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, I put these things, with the breakfast things, in the housekeeper's room, in front of the house - the area gate was left open. A painter, who works opposite, came down and asked me if I had lost any thing? I then went into the room, and missed the cream jug and spoon. He said the persons went down the mews by the side of the house. I went after them, and found the three prisoners together in the New Road. I said, "Young men, you are wanted at No. 19, York-street, where you have just come from." They said they did not know where it was. I said I would shew them. Butler instantly ran away - the other two said they would go back with me. They turned down North-place and ran away. I called Stop thief, and pursued - a gentleman came up, and Bailey was taken. I had him brought back to the house; he at first denied it, but afterwards said he had not got the property, but Bridges had it, and that he lived in Gee's-court, Oxford-street - I gave him in charge. I am sure all the three prisoners were together. About half-past six o'clock that evening Marrebow brought the property home to us. JOHN MARREBOW . I am eleven years of age. I was going along Oxford-street, Bridges gave me the things and a penny, and told me to take them home to Johnson's house, and say they were the things which were stolen from there that afternoon. I did so, and was detained. TIMOTHY KIRKMAN . I am an officer. On the 9th of December I was sent for, and took Bailey. He took me to a coffee-shop in Gee's-court, where I found Butler. I apprehended Bridges last night. (Property produced and sworn to.) BUTLER'S Defence. I was in York-street; the witness came with the things, and gave them to Bridges. BAILEY'S Defence. The witness went into the house, and threw the milk in the fire. BRIDGES' Defence. I was at the prosecutor's in the mews; the others ran away and I ran too. In the afternoon I met Marrebow; he said they were stolen, and I gave them to him to take home. BUTLER - GUILTY . Aged 17. BAILEY - GUILTY . Aged 19. BRIDGES * - GUILTY Aged 17. * Bridges is the same person who was tried before by the name of Hathaway. (See No. 321.) Transported for Seven Years . First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Recorder.