William Pizzey

341

Maureen Withey on 10th January 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 10 January 2021), April 1820, trial of WILLIAM PIZZEY WILLIAM BRYANT (t18200412-174). WILLIAM PIZZEY, WILLIAM BRYANT, Theft > theft from a specified place, 12th April 1820. 525. WILLIAM PIZZEY and WILLIAM BRYANT were indicted for stealing, on the 22d of March , 60 lbs. of lead, value 10 s., the goods of Daniel Pizzey , and fixed to his dwelling-house . SECOND COUNT, the same, only stating it to belong to John Amer , and fixed to dwelling-house of his. WILLIAM WHITE . I work for Mr. Porter. On the 22d of March, between eight and nine o'clock, I saw Bryant leaning over the stile of John Harris 's door, at Branstone-green ; Pizzey was in Harris's house talking to Bryant. He got out of the window, with a bundle in his arms, accompanied by a man named Wicks - they took a sack from Harris's door; Wicks took the sack up, and carried it. - Pizzey took the bundle, and Bryant walked by his side. I watched them all three together into the fields, almost a quarter of a mile off. I saw them hide it in a hedge in the fields, and then all three went away - I went, and told Mr. Lancaster, my master, and we both went about an hour and a half after I told him. He told me to watch to see if they returned, which I did for an hour, but nobody came. I went into another field, from which I could see if they came. I saw the men after they were taken into custody by Lancaster - the sack laid in the same place. A person, named Westman, carried it away - I knew Pizzey before; I was a schoolfellow of his. I am certain Bryant is the man who accompanied them. WILLIAM LANCASTER . I am a farmer's man. I went with Mr. Amer, the prosecutor, in consequence of the boy's information, and took Bryant and Pizzey into custody - the boy told me the way, and I followed about a mile and three-quarters before I took them. When the boy told us it was about half-past eight o'clock - it was about ten minutes before I saw them; they were separating, Wicks went one way, and they another. I found the sack when I got up to them, which contained lead - they resisted. I told them I stopped them for taking a sack and bundle away from Harris's house. They said they had taken nothing. WILLIAM PORTER . I am a bricklayer, and live at Harrow on the Hill. I assisted the last witness in taking the prisoners into custody. I fitted the lead to Mr. Amer's house, over the door, and it tallied with the shape of the roof - it was ripped off. It weighed about 60 lbs. The sack belongs to Burrows. JOHN AMER . I am a farmer , and live at Ossandon-hill; the house belongs to me - Pizzey's father lives in it. I am positive that the lead produced is that which was fastened to the brickwork of the house - my house is called Peddyson's Hall; that house is fifty yards from my residence. The bundle has not been found - I know both the prisoner's. BRYANT'S Defence. I was seeking for work, and know nothing of the lead. I did not know Pizzey was in the house. I merely looked into the house by accident. PIZZEY'S Defence. I know nothing of the lead. PIZZEY - GUILTY . Aged 19. BRYANT - GUILTY . Aged 18. Transported for Seven Years . First Middlesex Jury, before J. Vaillant, Esq.