John Giffen

341

Maureen Withey on 3rd September 2025

Tried at the Old Bailey, 14 Aug 1837. 1994. JOHN GRIFFIN and HENRY SHIP were indicted for stealing, on the 11th of August, 11l. bs. weight of copper, value 6s. 6d., the goods of William Ive, from a certain dock adjacent to a certain navigable river, called the Thames.—2nd COUNT, stating it to be the goods of James Waddell and others. MR. BODKIN conducted the Prosecution. WILLIAM JOHN ALFRED IVE . My father's name is William—he had a vessel in the dock under repair, belonging to Mr. James Waddell and Co.—the old copper was being stripped off—I missed some of the copper—on the night of the 11th of June I watched, but no one came that night. WILLIAM COLLINGS (police-sergeant R 13.) I produce some copper which I got from Mr. Wakden—he told me who he bought it of directly. THOMAS WAKDEN . I live in Flagon-row, Deptford, and deal in old metal. I bought that copper on Friday morning, the 11th of August, before ten o'clock—this first piece, which weighed 5l. bs., I bought of the two prisoners for 2s. 6d.—Ship came the second time and brought 6l. bs., for which I gave together, him 3s.—I gave it up to Collings. BENJAMIN LOVELL (police-sergeant R 15.) I took the prisoner Ship into custody, after this copper had been found—I afterwards saw Giffin, and asked Ship if he had sold any copper, he said, "No"—I then took him to Wakden, and he said he did sell it, and had it from Griffin. WILLIAM COATES . I took Giffin—he said he did not sell any copper in Flagon-row—between three and four o'clock on the Friday morning, before this copper was stolen, I had seen the two prisoners with another person, not more than three minutes' walk from Mr. Ive's premises—I threatened to take them into custody, and they walked away then. MR. IVE. This is part of the copper belonging to the vessel—there is a mark on it—the vessel was in the deck adjoining the Thames. GIFFIN— GUILTY . Aged 18. SHIP— GUILTY . Aged 17. Transported for Seven Years. 1995. JOSEPH SCOTT and the said JOHN GIFFIN were indicted for stealing, on the 12th of August, 20l. b. weight of copper, value 12s., the goods of William Ive, from a certain dock adjacent to a certain navigable river called the Thames.—2nd COUNT stating it to be the goods of James Waddell and others, and that Scott had been before convicted of felony. MR. BODKIN conducted the Prosecution. JOHN TAYLOR . I am a constable of Deptford. On Saturday the 12th of August, I was watching Mr. Ive's premises, which is a dock that communicates with the Thames—about half-past three o'clock in the morning, I saw Scott with another person, whom I believe to be Giffin, come across the end of the dock—there was an alarm given, and they ran and dropped some copper, which I took up, and produce—I did not know the nature of the premises, and ran into the mud. WILLIAM JOHN ALFRED IVE . I am the son of William Ive. I missed some copper from a vessel in the dock—I watched, and on the Saturday morning, about half-past three o'clock I saw Scott and another run across the dock, with another which I believe was Giffin—they dropped the copper—the officer and I took it up—I have compared it with the sheeting of the vessel—it is part of it, and is worth 12s.—the vessel was in the dock under repair. WILLIAM COATES (police-constable R 129.) I was near the dock about twenty minutes before four o'clock, and saw Scott come out of Frenches field into New-street, in a direction from the dock—I did not speak to him—I did not know of the robbery then—I afterwards went to Scott's, in Crown-court, New-street—I asked him if he had met me—he said he had not—he came in about two o'clock, and I asked what kept him out so late—he said he had been at work at a privy—I said he must go with me, and told him to go and put his clothes on, and his mother called out to him, "Joe, don't wash your shoes"—he came down with them partly washed, but the hind part was muddy. WILLIAM JOHN MILLER . I saw the two prisoners come to the place that morning while I was watching—I was not more than six feet from them—I was very close to them—I shoved the gates, and they threw down the copper which was wrapped up in a handkerchief. Giffin. I was not with Scott that night. BENJAMIN LOVELL (police-sergeant R 15.) I produce the copy of the prisoner Scott's former conviction, which I got at Mr. Clark's office—(read)—he is the same person. SCOTT— GUILTY . Aged 18.— Transported for Fourteen Years. GIFFIN— GUILTY . Aged 18.— Transported for Seven Years more.