James Carey

116

Tony Beale on 14th January 2021

Old Bailey Online 543. ASLIM MACDONALD and JAMES CAREY were indicted for stealing, on the 7th of May , three silver waiters, value 6l. one silver snuffer-stand, value 1l. two pairs of steel snuffers, value 2s. three silver candlesticks, value 5l. two silver extinguishers, value 20s. three plated candlesticks, value 20s. four plated extinguishers, value 10s. one silver soup-ladle, value 40s. three silver sauce-ladles, value 40s. thirteen silver table-spoons, value 7l. two silver gravy-spoons, value 40s. four silver desert-spoons, value 40s. one silver sallad-fork, value 10s. one pair of silver asparagus-tongs, value 20s. twenty-three silver table-forks, value 15l. seven knives, value 5s. seven forks, value 5s. and one japanned knife-tray, value 2s. the property of William Praed , esq . in his dwelling-house . WILLIAM LEEDS . I was servant to Mr. William Praed at that time. On the 7th of May, in the morning, I saw the plate, and put it into the pantry cupboard. I afterwards saw the plate, which was found in the possession of the prisoner; that was the plate I had put into the cupboard; it was about nine o'clock, I had it, and I missed it about four. The pantry door had been locked; but not all the day; some part of the day the key was in the door. JOSIAH PARKER . I keep a plated warehouse. I know the two men at the bar; I have known them about two months. They were at my house on the 7th of May last, they came about four o'clock; Macdonald came in first; then he had a bundle with him; he asked for weights and scales. I did not produce them. My wife went out at the back door, according to the directions I had given on the previous day. I had dealt with the two prisoners before. I considered them to be both interested on that occasion; they were both present. During the absence of my wife, Carey came in; he placed himself in a chair; he did not say any thing to Macdonald, nor Macdonald to him. My wife returned with some persons, the two Mr. Turner's. She then went out a second time, and brought in a man named Jeffkins; when she returned then, Macdonald and Carey were in my parlour. When the Turner's came, I informed them that I had purchased plate of the prisoners on the 16th of March, and I had reason to believe it was stolen; I said that in the presence of the prisoners. One of them said, he could give a very good account of how he came by it; but if it was stolen, he would recompence me to give him his liberty; it was Carey said this. There was nothing more passed then. The officer was sent for, who, when he came, searched them; it might be a quarter of an hour before Limbrick came. When my wife was returning with Jeffkins, Macdonald slipped out at the door, and Jeffkins laid hold of him, and brought him in. Carey attempted to run out before the officer came in. Young Turner came in I think first. The bundle of plate was secured. JANE PARKER . I know the two prisoners at the bar. Macdonald came to my house on the 7th of May last; he brought a bundle; it was about four o'clock in the afternoon; he walked right through the shop into the parlour, and asked for Mr. Parker; presently my husband came in, and as he came in, I went out, I went out to bring in Mr. Turner; I had received directions from my husband to do that if either of the prisoners came. I did not hear a word pass between my husband and Macdonald. He did not ask me for any thing before my husband came in. I returned with some of my neighbours in a few minutes; the youngest of the Turners came immediately, and the father followed. When I returned, I was informed Carey was there. When I came back, I did not see either of them until I saw them brought through the shop to be taken to Hatton Garden; Limbrick took them through. I locked up a bundle in the presence of a neighbour of mine; See originalClick to see original she kept the key until that bundle was delivered to the officers. I had seen Carey and Macdonald at my husband's house on the 16th of March; I could form an opinion that they were acquainted at the that time; they talked together on that occasion, like persons who were acquainted. My husband bought something of them; as soon as my husband bought that, they went away together, and they had come together. SARAH WYBERT . I was at Mr. Parker's, when I saw the two prisoners taken out. By Mrs. Parker's desire, I took charge of the key after the property was locked up; I had the care of the key, and young Turner said it was better to be locked up, and Mrs. Parker carried it up stairs, and it was put into an empty room. Mrs. Parker locked it up, and gave the key to me, and I took the key home, and after the officer returned, the door was unlocked in his presence, and I saw the bundle delivered into his hands. JOHN LIMBRICK . On the 7th of May, I went to Parker's house, about a quarter after four; I got this bundle from Mrs. Parker. I saw Mrs. Wybert there. I saw the two prisoners Carey and Macdonald. The bundle was just as it is now. Macdonald's Defence. May it please your Lordship and gentlemen of the Jury. I know nothing about this bundle at all. This man, Carey, gave it to me to bring into Mr. Parker's house, and I never saw nor knew what it contained, any mere than your lordship; and as for my running away, it is false. Carey's Defence. I am a man who gets my bread as a porter in running of errands, waiting at table, brushing coats, and such like, and I circulated cards for that purpose, and a man came into my shop in Somers Town, and asked me if I would go of an errand for him; and he asked me to go to Mr. Parker's, where I had been for him before; he said, he had been speaking to Mr. Parker the day before concerning the bundle, and I was to bring him what Mr. Parker gave me. On my way, I met with Macdonald, and this man was walking after me, and I asked Macdonald if he would take a walk with me, which he agreed to do; I knew him. I came within a short way of Mr. Parker's, and I had occasion to stop against a wall, and I said, I would be in in a few minutes, and asked him to take the parcel in; and I went in, and knocked at the door, and soon after Mr. Parker bid me walk in, and sit down, and I sit down. John Parker . Re-examined. The bundle was not opened while it was there; Carey asked for weights and scales, but did not say what he wanted with them. Neither of the prisoners said what the bundle contained. JURY. Q. Did Carey say he came from a person who had been with you the day before? Witness. No, he did not. COURT. Q. What was it one of these men or both of them sold to you on the 16th of March? Witness. A silver tea service, for which I gave them eighteen pounds three shillings. JANE FOSTER . I am a neice to Mr. Carey; he lives at Ware-passage, Somers Town. I was at his house in May last; he is a gentleman's servant out of place; he waits at table, keeps a shop, and took in coats to brush, and shoes to clean. I was there on the 7th of May; I was out of place also. He went out that day at a little after two; he had been at home the best part of the morning, until twenty minutes after two; I slept there the night before, and breakfasted with him that morning. I first saw him at eight o'clock, at breakfast; I left there about half past ten; I came back at a quarter before eleven; he was then cleaning shoes and brushing coats. I saw him at dinner and saw him until dinner, a little before one. He was in the shop serving clothes with his wife. He went out at about twenty minutes past two; a person came in with a parcel; I was present. He asked my uncle if he would carry a parcel, and my uncle said he would, and he put on his hat, and went out immediately with the person who came in; that was twenty minutes past two. GEORGE LEEK BOLTON . I am as half-pay lieutenant in the India Company's service; my birth-day is on the 7th of May. On my last birth-day, I was at the prisoner's shop, about two o'clock; I saw the prisoner there; but not at first. I dealt for an article; not agreeing about the price with the first person I spoke to, the prisoner came out, and concluded the article for nine shillings and sixpence, and I gave him six shillings, as I had not so much silver. On the Thursday, I called again, and paid the ballance for the pantaloons, and took them. Mrs. Carey then called me in, and told me something which had happened, and that brought to my mind the exact time I had been there. While I had been there, I recollected a man coming into the shop, who said, Carey, I want you to go on an errand for me, to take a parcel where you have been before; Carey said, he would go with him immediately, and in about three or four minutes went with him. On the next day but one, I heard he was taken up. JANE FOSTER . I never saw the man before that came in to ask my uncle to carry a parcel; he was a tall thin man, and was dressed in black. MACDONALD, GUILTY - DEATH , aged 31. CAREY, GUILTY - DEATH , aged 33. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Park.