William Hunter

342

Maureen Withey on 2nd February 2023

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 02 February 2023), January 1824, trial of WILLIAM HUNTER (t18240114-16). WILLIAM HUNTER, Theft > burglary, 14th January 1824. 224. WILLIAM HUNTER was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Thomas Ingleson , about the hour of seven in the night of the 1st of January , at St. George the Martyr , with intent the goods and chattels in the said dwelling-house then being, feloniously and burglariously to steal . THOMAS BELSHAM . I live at No. 19, New North-street, Red Lion-square. On the 1st of January, at seven o'clock in the evening, I was standing at my door, and observed two men walking up the street by Mr. Ingleson's house, which is in East-street - they went by the house, crossed over, and came up on the other side, then crossed again at the end of the street, and came down by the house again - they observed me at the door, and walked on, which raised my suspicion. I drew back into a dark part of my passage; they walked a little way down the street beyond the prosecutor's house, then returned, and the prisoner, who was one of them, got on the iron railing, and put his hand to the window, the other man walked on - the prisoner got down again and met him; they walked down the street again, crossed, and returned on the other side; then the prisoner got on the rails again, pushed the window up, and got in. I immediately ran over to Tylcoat, at the corner house, called him out, and while he was coming, I ran to Ingleson's door. Tylcoat joined me - I went to the window (the other man had gone down the street and returned - he ran away); we waited while the prisoner came out at the private door. I heard the parlour door unlocked, and then he opened the street door and came out. I collared him, and asked if he lived there? he said Yes. I think he had seen us at the window. We took him into Tylcoat's house, and fetched a constable. He was searched, and nothing but one shilling found upon him. I am sure the window was shut down, for I saw him push it up. Mr. Ingleson was not at home. I saw nobody belonging to the house. WILLIAM TYLCOAT . I live at No. 40, East-street, next door to Ingleson. Belsham came to me; I went with him, and saw the prisoner come out at Ingleson's door, collared him, and took him into my house. I did not hear him say anything. THOMAS INGLESON . I am a tailor, and live at No. 39, East-street, Red Lion-square, in the parish of St, George the Martyr. I was out at this time; I rent the house; my wife and children were at home - I had left the window and blinds shut, but the shutters not put to. I returned about eight o'clock - I do not know the prisoner - I never saw him before. Prisoner's Defence. I know nothing at all about it. I was passing the house, saw the window open, and went up to the door, intending to knock and inform Mr. Ingleson of it. I had not got on the step before I was taken. One witness gave the prisoner a good character. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 20. Recommended to Mercy by the Prosecutor . Before Mr. Baron Hullock . -------------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/30/631824 Jan 31 Prisoner name(s): William Hunter. Prisoner age: 20. Prisoner occupation: Apprentice to a silversmith in Red Lion Court Fleet Street. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey Sessions 7 January 1824. Crime: Burglary in dwelling house of William Strowd his employer. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at the Council 19 March 1824. Petitioner(s): The convict, two character references - one from the prosecutor, and 21 people. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Convict's previous unblemished character; led astray by someone he thought he could trust; first offence; his youth. Additional Information: In Newgate.