Morris Jones

110

Ron Garbutt on 22nd March 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 22 March 2020), April 1820, trial of MORRIS JONES (t18200412-1). MORRIS JONES, Theft > burglary, 12th April 1820. 350. MORRIS JONES was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Stephen Skinner , about eight o'clock in the night of the 24th of March , at St. George, Hanover-square, with intent to steal, and burglariously stealing therein one gown, value 3 s.; seven shifts, value 14 s.; two petticoats, value 3 s.; five handkerchiefs, value 10 s.; seven towels, value 7 s.; two pair of stockings, value 4 s.; two pair of drawers, value 5 s.; two curtains, value 3 s., and two pieces of flannel, value 1 s., the property of Cope Williams . STEPHEN SKINNER . I am a milkman , and live at No. 44, South-street, Grosvenor-square , in the parish of St. George, Hanover-square - it is my own house. On the 24th of March, about half-past eight o'clock at night, my wife and I were sitting in the back kitchen, with my little girl - it was quite dark. I thought I heard somebody in the parlour, which was let to Mrs. Williams, who had been out ever since twelve o'clock in the day. I know the window of her room was shut down an hour before. My wife sent the girl up the area steps, she returned, and in consequence of what she said I went up the area steps; the prisoner jumped out of the window and fell into the area - I saw nobody else jump out. I secured him, and asked what business he had there? he said he was not in the parlour, but that a man had shoved him down the steps. I took him to Mount-street watch-house. I saw a bedgown found in his hat, which belonged to Mrs. Williams; she is my sister. He said he lived with his sister in St. Giles's, that his father had forsaken him, and when he came before the Magistrate he said he lived in Cato-street. HARRIET WILLIAMS . I live with my brother. I left my lodgings at twelve o'clock, the windows were then shut; I locked the door and took the key. I left three shifts and a bedgown near the fire-place, and a bundle on a chest bedstead - when I came home I found the bundle moved to the piano-forte; two shifts and a bedgown were gone. I saw the bedgown found on the prisoner at the watch-house - I have not seen the shifts. JOHN LUX . I am a beadle of the parish; the prisoner was brought to the watch-house by Skinner; I searched him, and found the bedgown in his hat. (Property produced and sworn to.) Prisoner's Defence. I was going home, and saw something laying down, I picked it up and put it into my hat. A man jumped out of the window and pulled me down. GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 15. First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Park. https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/print.jsp?div=t18200412-1