Henry Goff

342

Maureen Withey on 7th June 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 07 June 2021), April 1825, trial of HENRY GOFF (t18250407-98). HENRY GOFF, Theft > burglary, 7th April 1825. 687. HENRY GOFF was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of John Grey , about seven o'clock in the night of the 24th of February , at St. Catherine Cree-church, and stealing therein six watches, value 57 l.; six watch chains, value 34 l.; five neck chains, value 23 l. 10 s.; a diamond pin, value 8 l.; six seals, value 3 l.; a ring, value 10 s., and a musical watch, value 15 l. , his property. Mr. JOSEPH THOMAS GREY . I am the son of John Grey, a jeweller , who lives at No. 68, Leadenhall-street, in the parish of St. Catherine Cree-church - he rents the house and lives there. On the 24th of February, about seven o'clock in the evening, I was in the shop behind the counter - it was dark - I heard a violent crash of glass - I immediately alarmed my father, called him down stairs, then went round the counter and saw that one of the windows were broken - I missed a great quantity of watches and chains from the window which was broken - I went out into the street, heard a cry of Stop thief! and was told the person who had broken the window was pursued through Hartshorn-alley, which is about twenty yards from our house, at the corner of which alley I picked up a gold watch; there was a ring, with five seals, attached to the chain - I picked them all up together, and went home;and watches, chains, and neck chains, amounting in value to left use picked up in different parts of the street, and brought is to me directly - I was informed the prisoner was taken, and found him in about a quarter of an hour in the George public-house. CHARLES COLES . I am a mariner. I was passing by the prosecutor's house as near seven o'clock as possible, and observed the prisoner standing close to Mr. Grey's window - I saw him rush his right arm through the glass, and pull out a quantity of jewellery - I was within eight yards of him - he ran off directly - I pursued him down Hartshorn-alley, and saw him constantly dropping jewellery, watches, and chains, one at a time; I kept following him - he was stopped without my losing sight of him - I am sure he is the man - he was taken in Northumberland-alley - he might have run a hundred and fifty or a hundred and sixty yards, but I never lost sight of him; we look him to the public-house to the officer - I did not pick up any of the property; I saw him take it and drop it - he said at the public house, that he was in among the mob and was running after the thief, but I was close to him all the way. Prisoner. Q. Did you not tell the Lord Mayor, there were three or four persons round the window besides me? A. No, there was no other person but him - several were on the other side of the way. Q. Was there not three or four people between you and me? A. No. WILLIAM THOMAS PHILLIPS . I am a tea-packer. I was at work in Northumberland-alley on this evening and heard a cry of Stop thief! and instantly ran out, and saw the prisoner running very fast; he was the first who was running - I had nearly overtaken him, when he threw something away, which made a great crash - he ran two or three yards further, then stood still and turned round - I went up and collared him; he said "It was not me; what do you want with me?" I said I did not know, but he was running very fast, and must stop and see what was wanted of him. I picked up a gold chain in Northumberland-alley, and gave it to Smithers, the officer. WILLIAM CURTIS . I am a porter. I heard a cry of Stop thief! and ran out and saw the prisoner throw from his hand a parcel of trinkets, and stopped him. I picked up a gold chain - I am sure he is the man; he was runing when I stopped him - Phillips came up and took him out of my hands. JAMES HARDEN . I am an officer of Aldgate Ward. I received the prisoner in charge and found nothing on him, but on hand-cuffing him I discovered some blood on his right hand - there was a small piece of skin off his finger - the blood was quite fresh. CHARLES COLES . He made the rush with his right hand. Mr. GREY. I produce the property. Here is a chain which I myself picked up - I have a mark at the end of it - the property is all my father's - the property here is worth 140 l. - there is 70 l. worth deficient; the musical watch was broken to pieces. Prisoner's Defence. I had been looking for work, and on going down Fenchurch-street, I heard the cry of Stop thief! - I pursued a man down Northumberland-alley - he stopped by a pair of gates - I stopped there and was taken; I told the person the man was gone down there - Coles did not come up till the officer had me in charge. Three witnesses gave the prisoner a good character. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 18. ------------------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/15/101 1825 July Prisoner name: Henry Goff. Prisoner age: 18. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey April Sessions 1825. Crime: Burglary. Initial sentence: [Death] commuted to transportation for life. Annotated (Outcome): 1 July 1825 Nil. Petitioner(s): James Chapman umbrella maker and prisoner's former employer. Prisoner. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Honest character; respectable parents; first offence; asks to be sent to the Penitentiary.