James Egan

Level 41

Roger Churm on 17th April 2019

Old Bailey Proceedings June 1831 Trial of James Egan Before Mr Justice Gaselee 1383.JAMES EGAN.was indicted for breaking and entering the dwelling house of Oliver Manson,on the 14th of May,and stealing 5 pairs of trousers value 5s;2 waistcoats,value 1s and 1 coat,value 1s,the goods of John McCarthy. JOHN McCARTHY. I live in Monmouth street,in the kitchen Oliver Manson is the landlord-he does not live in the house,but on the other side of the street;I believe it is let out in tenements.On the 14th of June,about eight o'clock at night,I went out to sell some apparel-I locked my door;I came home at half past one o'clock in the morning,and as I came along the back passage,I found a lot of things under my feet - I had entered at the back door,which was locked when I went out,but I found it broken open;I found under my feet some coats,waistcoats and trousers-four times as many as are here;I had left some of them hanging on lines in the kitchen,but more on the shelves-I proceeded into my kitchen,and said "Who is this"the prisoner answered"Its me John,that has come in before you"he has worked in my place at the tayloring business for the last six months,but had no business there then-he had left work about seven o'clock,and was to come again on the Monday;I sang out to Sellers,who lived in the shop over me,that there was a thief in my kitchen-Sellers came down,undressed: a light was procured -he told me to take care of the prisoner ,while he fetched a constable,but while he was gone,the prisoner escaped out off the front door,I knew his voice very well when he spoke -Sellers and the constable came to my place;they went in pursuit and took at the bottom of Monmouth street-he had got in. By forcing the staple out of the door;the constable has eight of the articles found in the passage -I am sure they are mine ,and that they were in the kitchen when I went out that night. Prisoner. Q. Was I drunk or sober? A.To the best of my knowledge he was not drunk;I took the things into the kitchen before the constable came,but part if them were outside when Sellers came. WILLIAM JACKSON.I an a Policeman,I went well Sellers at half-past one'clock in the morning to look for the prisoner,and found him about thirty yards from the prosecutor's door,among a crowd of people-he said "What do you take me for"I said"On a charge of breaking open Mr McCarthy's door'he told me he knew that-when he came out,he said he would do for Sellers,and us;I took him to the watch-house,and returned to McCarthy's -I found the greatest confusion in his room and a quantity of clothes in the passage;I have brought five pairs of trousers,two waistcoats,and a coat here. Prisoner.Q.Was I drunk or sober?.A.I cannot say he was drunk-he walked steady to the watch-house (property produced and sworn to) SELLERS.I rent the shop and parlour in this house.The prosecutor called me-I went down,and saw the prisoner there;I am certain he is the man -I knew him before;I had a light,and heard what he said to the prosecutor-when I came back he was gone. Prisoners Defence.I was in liquor,and did not know I was doing. GUILTY of stealing only.Aged 26 Transported for Seven Years.