George Owen

342

Maureen Withey on 2nd February 2023

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 02 February 2023), January 1824, trial of GEORGE OWEN (t18240114-58). GEORGE OWEN, Theft > burglary, 14th January 1824. 266. GEORGE OWEN was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Jonathan Purchis Paine , about six o'clock in the night of the 6th of December , at St. Giles-in-the-Fields , with intent to steal, and burglariously stealing therein, a watch, value 30 s. , his property. JONATHAN PURCHIS PAINE . I live in High-street , St. Giles's, and am a watchmaker . On the 6th of December, about six o'clock in the evening, or rather earlier, I was at tea in my parlour, with my door open, and heard glass break. I went into the shop, and found a pane of glass broken in the window, and two men standing outside, at the broken pane. I pursued into the street, and seized them both at the window. I struggled with them, and one escaped; the other, who was the prisoner, I secured. During the struggle with the prisoner a watch fell from him, which I produce - I picked it up, called "Watch," and after a short time the constable came and took him. I examined my window, and found a piece broken out of the glass, and a watch gone, which had laid within an inch of the glass - a man could not get it without putting his hand through the broken pane. He said, "You are mistaken, I am not the man." I am sure the watch fell from him - it is mine. Cross-examined by MR. LAW. Q. Was it not light enough to discern a man's features - A. Certainly not - it was more than half-past five o'clock - my street door was open, but the inner door was shut - the watch was within an inch of the glass - a person's elbow could not knock it out; it fell from the prisoner after the other man escaped - it fell from the prisoner I am certain. The other man could not have dropped it, and the prisoner picked it up, for when I came out, I saw a hand come from the window, with the watch in it - I am confident that it was the prisoner's hand - the hole was hardly large enough for the hand to come out. COURT. Q. You saw two people at your window, and on going out found two there - A. Yes, my Lord. CHARLES WRIGHT . I was returning home, about half-past five o'clock, or later, with a long plane under my arm; I heard a cry of Watch; I was within a yard and a half of Payne's shop, and saw him scuffling with two others; I seized them both by the collar, one in each hand - one gave me a kick, and got from me, I kept fast hold of the other, which was the prisoner; a constable came up in a few minutes, and at that moment I saw a watch laying at my feet. I said, "There is a watch, Mr. Payne, pick it up." The prisoner said, as he went along, that he would go with us, for he was innocent. Cross-examined. Q. The other man kicked you - Yes; and the prisoner struggled to get away. JAMES GRIFFITHS . I am a constable, and took the prisoner in charge. I found a knife on him, which appeared to be broken at the end, and had putty on it; I examined the window, and the putty had been cut out. Prisoner's Defence. I was returning home by the prosecutor's door, a young man ran violently against me, and at the same instant the prosecutor ran out and laid hold of me and the other man; he let the other man go. He said at the office that he could not swear whose hand was in the window. One witness gave the prisoner a good character. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 18. Recommended to mercy by the Prosecutor . Before Mr. Baron Hullock . -------------------------------------------------- National archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/30/691824 Prisoner name(s): George Owen. Prisoner age: 18. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey January Sessions 1824. Crime: Breaking shop window and stealing a watch from Mr James Purchis Pain [Paine], watchmaker of High Street, Saint Giles. Initial sentence: Death commuted to transportation for life. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report 19 March 1824. Petitioner(s): Richard and Jane Owen , parents, of 8 Breams Buildings, Chancery Lane and 15 people including John Butterworth M P. Prisoner and 31 housekeepers. Prisoner and 21 housekeepers. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Parents poor but honest; they are deeply distressed; prisoner hitherto honest; prosecutor recommended mercy; convict feels contrition; no violence involved. Additional Information: In Newgate Gaol.