William Johnson

135

C H on 28th February 2024

Old Bailey Online WILLIAM JOHNSON. Theft; theft from a specified place. 3rd June 1824 Text type Trial account Defendants WILLIAM JOHNSON Offences Theft > Theft from place Session Date 3rd June 1824 Reference Number t18240603-67 Verdicts Guilty > Theft under 40s Punishments Transportation Before Mr. Baron Hullock . 883. WILLIAM JOHNSON was indicted for stealing, on the 28th of April , three gowns, value 28 s.; a clock, value 6 s; a whittle, value 1 s.; three shawls, value 6 s.; an umbrella, value 1 s.; and a scarf, value 4 s., the goods of Elizabeth Smith , in her dwelling-house . ELIZABETH SMITH . I live in Chapel-court, St. Clement's-lane , and am a widow . On the 28th April, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I went out, locked my sitting-room up, and latched the outer door after me. I have no lodgers. The street door could be opened from the outside. I returned in three quarters of an hour, and found it wide open; hearing somebody on the stairs, I called out, "Is any one on the stairs?" no answer was made. I went up three stairs, and found some one was coming down - the stairs being narrow and dark, I stepped out into the street, and the prisoner came down with a large bundle and an umbrella in his hand. I let him pass me for several yards, and when he had got to the light, I saw my gown and cloak sticking out of his bundle. I stepped up, and caught hold of him, saying, "My friend, this is mine." He said, it was no such a thing. I said, "I insist upon having it." He threw the bundle at me, saying, "Take it." I took it up, and called Stop thief! He was brought back in four or five minutes. I am sure of his person - the bundle contained the articles stated in the indictment, which were all in my room on that day - they are worth about 44 s. He had wrapped them in his own apron. JOHN SCOTT . I am a constable. I heard a cry of Stop thief! and saw a lad pursuing the prisoner. I stopped him in Stanhope-street, running as fast as he could, and Masters following him. I found a shawl in his hat, and the prosecutrix gave me the other things. (Property produced and sworn to.) ROBERT MASTERS . About a quarter to four o'clock in the afternoon, I was looking out of the window, and saw the prisoner with Mrs. Smith; he threw the bundle out of his hand, I ran after him, and saw him taken as he ran up a court, which has no thoroughfare. GUILTY. Aged 37. Of stealing to the value of 39 s. only . Transported for Seven Years.