Peter Flannagan

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Dianne Jones on 2nd December 2023

TRIAL – Newcastle Summer Assizes, Guildhall, Tuesday 30 July, 1861: “BURGLARY IN SPICER LANE. Lancelot Horn (24), striker, John McLean (28), labourer, and Peter Flannigan (22), striker, were indicted for burglariously entering the dwelling-house of James Bishop and stealing therefrom the sum of 10s, a silver watch and other articles, on the 7th of May last... Mr Blackwell addressed the jury for the defence of his clients [McLean and Flannigan], and commented upon several discrepancies in the evidence which had been adduced for the purpose of connecting these men with the robbery. The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners. Previous convictions for felony were proved against them as follows: -- Horn, 6 times, McLean 4 times and Flannigan 24 times. His Lordship commented in severe terms on the enormity of the offence committed by the prisoners, and taking into account their previous character, sentenced them to 10 years’ penal servitude each.” (Shields Daily Gazette, 1 August 1861, p6 at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000285/18610801/023/0006) For the official trial record, see “England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892; England; Northumberland; 1861; image 13”. --0--

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Dianne Jones on 2nd December 2023

COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS: “WEDNESDAY.--Before the MAYOR, A. NICHOL, and RICHARD HOYLE Esq. BURGLARY. -- Lancelot Horn, Peter Flanagan, and John McLean were charged with breaking into the house of Mr Bishop, innkeeper, Spicer-lane, and stealing therefrom a gold watch, three bottles of spirits, 10s in copper, and some farthings. On the evening of the 6th inst., Mr Bishop’s premises were made secure by the servant girl, Mary Ann Sands. When she came down stairs in the morning she found the back doors open, but the front door remained fastened. She called Mr Bishop down stairs, and they struck a light and entered the bar, the door of which was standing open, although they had fastened it on the previous evening. The boxes and drawers were scattered about the floor; and it was discovered that the articles enumerated above were missing. About five o'clock on the same morning, the three prisoners, in company, were met by a policeman near to the Sallyport Gate; but, as he knew nothing of the robbery, he allowed them to pass on. Another policeman was passing along the Ouseburn Viaduct, between five and six o'clock on the same morning, when he heard a crash, resembling that of breaking glass. He asked a pointsman on the bridge who was breaking the bottles, and the latter replied that three men at the north side of the bridge had been drinking something out of bottles, and, after they had emptied, they broke them. The officer went in search of another policeman, but, on their return the prisoners caught sight of them, and ran in the direction of Jesmond, the policemen following. They managed to escape for the time by hiding in the woods around Shieldfield House. They were not seen again in Newcastle that day but, about 12 o'clock at noon, Andrew Skeen, a police-officer, saw McLean and Horn together in Clive-strect, North Shields. After leaving the street, and returning again in about half-an-hour, he saw Horn standing by himself. He afterwards received information that McLean was offering a watch for sale. He went in search of him, and, meeting him in Clive-street, he asked him what he had done with the watch. He replied that he had no watch. He was removed to the police station, and another officer went to Clive-street and took Horn into custody. Both prisoners were searched. On McLean 24s in silver was found, and on Horn 1s in copper. A watch had been sold by McLean to Mr Blackwood, jeweller, for 6s; the works being valueless. The watch was identified by Mr Bishop as the one stolen from his premises. The prisoners, who are bad characters, were committed for trial.” (Newcastle Courant, 31 May, 1861, p2 at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000085/18610531/006/0002) --0--

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Dianne Jones on 2nd December 2023

Note: The many variations of his surname are reproduced as they appear in the official and other documents cited in this bio. However, Hannagan, which originally appeared here on this site, was not sighted in any documents, so it has been removed.