James Lavis

343

Maureen Withey on 12th August 2022

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 12 August 2022), May 1801, trial of JAMES LAVIS WILLIAM SIMMONS (t18010520-24). JAMES LAVIS, WILLIAM SIMMONS, Theft > grand larceny, 20th May 1801. 462. JAMES LAVIS and WILLIAM SIMMONS were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 22d of April , two washing-tubs, value 10s. the property of Richard Spearing . RICHARD SPEARING sworn. - I am a cooper : On the 22d of April I missed two washing-tubs out of my shop; I saw the prisoner, Simmons, three or four times walking by my kitchen, the tubs were then in the shop; I went out for a walk, and when I came back I missed the tubs; I saw Ray running, and he gave me information of them. JOHN RAY sworn. - On Wednesday the 22d of April, I was standing at the Office door in Worship-street , about sixty yards from the prosecutor's house, I observed Lavis with two washing-tubs on his shoulder, and Simmons close to him; they turned down a gate-way very nearly opposite the Office; I saw the tall man, Simmons, come once or twice and peep out at the gate-way, and I suspected they were not honestly come by; I walked gently down to Mr. Spearing's shop, and he was just then coming by the door; I asked him if he had lost any thing; he told me he had lost two tubs; I then saw the men turn down Long-alley, and I immediately pursued them; they turned up a place called Devonshire-buildings, they were walkings as fast as they could walk; knowing the out-let of the court, I took down another court and met them, Lavis had then shifted them from his shoulder to Simmons's; I immediately collared Simmons, and he threw down the tubs; I went to lay hold of the other with my other hand, and he turned about and run down Long-alley; Armstrong then came up, and I delivered Simmons to him while I pursued Lavis; I followed him two or three hundred yards, and then I took him. JOHN ARMSTRONG sworn. - I had Simmons in custody from Ray; a boy picked up the tubs; and I made him carry them before me to the Office. Ray. These are the same tubs. Spearing. These are my tubs, I should know them from five hundred. Lavis's defence. A man with a leather apron on asked me to carry these two tubs to No. 1, in Long-alley. Simmons's defence. Lavis asked me to take them a bit, from his shoulder, when these gentlemen came up. Lavis, GUILTY , aged 29. Simmons, GUILTY , aged 30. Transported for seven years . Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Baron Graham.