William Howard

342

Maureen Withey on 14th October 2022

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 14 October 2022), January 1827, trial of WILLIAM HOWARD FREDERICK LANGLEY (t18270111-50). WILLIAM HOWARD, FREDERICK LANGLEY, Theft > burglary, 11th January 1827. Before Mr. Baron Hullock. 327. WILLIAM HOWARD & FREDERICK LANGLEY were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Daniel Shorey , about ten o'clock in the night of the 9th of December , at St. James, Westminster , with intent to steal, and stealing therein 1 watch, value 5l.; 2 seals, value 2l., and 1 watch-key, value 10s. , his property. DANIEL SHOREY . I live in Rupert-street , in the parish of St. James. Westminster, and rent the house; the prisoners both lodged with me. On the 9th of December, at half-past ten o'clock at night, my wife gave me information; I went up-stairs to my bed-room, and found the door wide open, and the alarm-bell wire, which had been attached to the door, cut - on entering the room I missed a silver watch, two gold seals, two gold rings, and a gold key - they were attached to the watch, and are worth more than 40s.; I had been up into my bed-room at six o'clock that evening, and left them on the drawers - the alarmbell was not cut then. I went down-stairs, and saw Howard in the kitchen, within five minutes of my going down - he had lodged with me three weeks; I told him he had been into my bed-room, which he denied; I said I suspected him of stealing my watch - he denied it. Langley came in in about a quarter of an hour. I sent for a watchman, and gave them both in charge. ELIZA LUDLOW . I live with Mr. Shorey, who is my uncle. The prisoners had lodged there for three weeks. On the 9th of December, at half-past 9 o'clock, I went to bed in my uncle's room, which is on the second floor, and saw my uncle's watch on the drawers; the prisoners sleep on the third floor, and would pass my uncle's room door to go to theirs; when I went into the room I shut the door, and fastened it; after I was in bed I heard a noise like the wire of the alarm-bell being cut - I then saw Howard come in at the door, with the candle in his hand; I did not see him do any thing, or take any thing - I said, "William, what do you want here?" he gave me no answer, but ran down stairs - I got up, and alarmed my aunt. Cross-examined by MR. PHILLIPS. Q. He had his back towards you? A. No. I was in bed. THOMAS WHITE . I am servant to Mr. Shorey; the prisoners lodged there for three weeks. About ten o'clock on the night in question I saw them both in the kitchen; Howard went up-stairs with a candle in his hand, and Langley went up directly after him - about half-past ten o'clock I saw Howard come down-stairs into the street - he went about twenty yards down the street, and returned in four or five minutes, into the kitchen; in about a quarter of an hour Langley came into the house; he had followed Howard into the street, immediately he went out; I saw them in the street, about twenty yards from the house, and saw something pass between them, but cannot say what - they put their hands to one another - they came into the kitchen again, and were soon afterwards taken. I heard master charge Howard with stealing the watch - he denied it. THOMAS GOOK . I am a constable of St. James. I was sent for on Sunday night, the 10th, and found the prisoners in the watch-house; I fetched Langley out of the cell first; a friend had come to see him, who said he thought all Mr. Shorey wanted was his watch back again; I said, "Recollect, I don't promise any thing" - I did not use either a threat or promise to him - I searched him, but found nothing relating to this prosecution; after he had denied several times knowing any thing about it, I was about to lock him in another cell, and he said he wanted to speak to me - Howard was not within hearing; Langley said a person, (whom he mertioned) had told him he had taken the watch, and planted it under his (Langley's) father-in-law's kitchen-stairs - he described the spot very minutely; I went there, and after searching some time, found it in the place he mentioned; I then returned to the watch-house, and brought Howard out of the cell - I asked him twice where the watch was - he denied all knowledge of it, and as I was returning him to the cell I pulled the watch out, showed it to him,and said, "Have you ever seen this before?" he said No; I was then about to lock him up - he said, "It is of no use to deny it any longer; I did take it," and he mentioned a person who cut the wire while he held the light, and said that he went into the room, took the watch, and gave it to that person, who went and planted it. I afterwards went into a room with Mr. Shorey, and found a pair of shears, which appeared to have been employed against some hard substance. Cross-examined. Q. Are you certain no promise or threat was held out? A. Quite so. I have known Langley about a year, and considered him very honest. MR. SHOREY. This is the watch and seals which I lost that night; I showed Gook into the prisoners' room - he found these shears in the room where they worked - they are tailors; nobody else worked there. Two witnesses gave each of the prisoners a good character. HOWARD - GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 21. LANGLEY - GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 20. Recommended to Mercy by the Prosecutor and Jury, on account of their youth and character . -------------------------------------------------- HO 17/25/1811827 Feb Prisoner name(s): William Howard. Prisoner details: Aged 20. Tailor. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey Sessions, January 1827. Crime: Burglary in a dwelling house. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report in Council 14 March 1827. Petitioner(s): William Howard, the prisoner, undersigned by Daniel Shorey of Rupert Street, the prosecutor, and 27 inhabitants of Clerkenwell, Chelsea, and district. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): This is the prisoner's first offence; he has received religious instruction and will make atonement for his crime; J Forster of 127 Old Street, ship agent, will undertake to send him to sea. Additional Information: Prisoner held in Newgate gaol.