John Thomas Newton

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Dianne Jones on 6th November 2023

TRANSCRIPT OF HIS TRIAL: “776. THOMAS STOCKWOOD (20), THOMAS BLACK (21), and JOHN THOMAS NEWTON (23), Robbery on Robert Joseph McAndrew, and stealing from his person 1 pair of spectacles and 10s. his property. MR. BROOKS conducted the Prosecution. ROBERT JOSEPH McANDREW. I am a surgeon of Limehouse—on Sunday night, 6th July, about eleven o'clock, I was in Railway-place, Fenchurch-street, the prisoners Black and Stockwood caught me on each side—I looked round in surprise and saw them well; and when I was turning my face a taller man caught hold of my spectacles, took them off, grasped my mouth, and I was thrown backwards—I struggled—my watch chain was cut by the taller man or broken from the swivel—I grasped it, held it firmly, and called out as loud as I could—persons came to my assistance and the prisoners ran away—the tall man wore a cap but I did not see his face—the prisoners were afterwards brought towards me, and I identified Black and Stockwood—my mouth was bleeding—I missed some money and have been shown nearly the same sum since—I cannot say which of the three grasped my mouth, but Newton was the most active in all that occurred. WALTER WIGGINS. I am manager of the Black Wall Railway hotel—I heard a noise outside about twenty minutes past eleven, as if a man was being stifled—I unbarred the door, went out, and saw the three prisoners, Stockwood and Black were on Mr. McAndrew, who was struggling on the ground, and a taller one was running way—I cannot swear to Newton, but he resembles the third man—Stockwood was the first to get off and run—I chased him, caught him without losing sight of him, and handed him to the police—I partly chased the other down the court—when I got down the court Black was sparring at Pelvin and I seized him directly. JAMES PELVIN. I am barman at the Railway hotel—I heard cries as if somebody was being stifled—I followed Mr. Wiggins out, and saw Black on Mr. McAndrew who was lying on the ground—he got off and I followed him to the back of the railway station, where he began sparring up to me, and Mr. Wiggins came and assisted me—I went to the police-station and then took the police to the spot where it occurred and we picked up 8s. 6d. in silver there—I saw two men when I went up. Stockwood. Q. Did you come out at the door at the same time as the other witness? A. I followed him—there was not a second between us. HENRY MANLY (City Policeman, 813). I was on duty in Fenchurch-street at a little after eleven o'clock—I heard a cry of ‘Stop thief!’—I went towards Railway-place and saw the three prisoners run out, Newton turned to the left towards Mark-lane and Stockwood and Black to the right—I gave chase to them at the same time as Wiggins—I never lost sight of Stockwood or Black, I was present when they were caught—after that Wiggins and Pelvin brought back Newton—I have no doubt of his identity—I saw him as plainly as I see him now, I was about fifteen yards from him—Stockwood came out first, but there was only a yard and a half difference between them, it was a dead heat between the two. COURT. Q. When you saw them all three run out at once how far were they from the spot where Mr. McAndrew was robbed? A. About twenty yards—it was then twenty minutes past eleven—I looked at the railway clock. MAURICE POCOCK (City Policeman, 927). I was on duty on this Sunday night about twenty minutes past eleven, and saw Newton run past me westwards from Railway-place—I heard a cry of ‘Stop thief!’—he ran up Billiter-street and I ran after him and caught him at the top—he asked me what I wanted him for—I said that some one at Railway-place might want him—he said that he had done nothing, and was only running home—I asked where he lived, he said, ‘George-yard, Whitechapel’, but he was running away from there. Newton. Q. Did I not pass you some time before in Murk-lane? A. No. THOMAS HURST (Police-sergeant, 62). I searched the spot at Railway-place which was pointed out to me, and found a pair of spectacles which the prosecutor identified. WILLIAM CLAYTON. I am an ex-policeman, and was on duty in that neighbourhood for a number of years—I have known the prisoners as friends for a length of time, and have seen them together repeatedly. Newton. Q. Do you know me? A. Yes; you used to harbour at Railway-place; you are so well known to me that I cannot make a mistake—I never knew you in trouble; only as the associate of the other prisoners. Stockwood. Q. Have you ever known me to be in trouble? A. Yes—not for felony but for assault. Stockwood's Defence. I have got an honest living by shoe-blacking for the last three years. Black's Defence. It was an attempt at robbery, nothing more. Newton's Defence. I have worked hard for my living. I know no more about it than a child unborn. GUILTY.—(Newton was further charged with a former conviction at Guildhall in March, 1863, of stealing butter, to this he PLEADED GUILTY.).— Seven Years each in Penal Servitude.” (https://www.oldbaileyonline.org) --00--

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Dianne Jones on 6th November 2023

TRIAL: 1865, 14 August: John Thomas Newton, 23, labourer and semi-literate, was convicted at the Old Bailey, London, and sentenced to 7 years’ transportation for “robbery with violence” (UK, After-Trial Calendar of Prisoners, 1855-1931 for John Thomas Newton; 1865). --00--

218

Dianne Jones on 6th November 2023

OCCUPATION: He is listed variously in official records as a stevedore, labourer and fishmonger. Of these, labourer is the only option provided in the "Occupation" window, so labourer it is! --000--