John Scroggins

221

D Wong on 11th September 2015

Old Bailey: EDWARD PHILLIPS, JOHN SCROGGINS, Theft > simple larceny, 3rd December 1829. Reference Number: t18291203-93 Offence: Theft > simple larceny Verdict: Guilty; Guilty Punishment: Transportation EDWARD PHILLIPS and JOHN SCROGGINS were indicted for stealing, on the 30th of October, 5 handkerchiefs, value 14s. , the goods of George Trotter. THEODORE KIRBY. I am in the service of George Trotter, a linen-draper , of Whitechapel-road On the 30th of October, about half-past eight o'clock in the morning, the two prisoners came into our shop; I had seen them before, and concealed myself at the end of the shop, to watch them - they asked for silk handkerchiefs, and were shewn several pieces; I saw Phillips take a piece containing five handkerchiefs from under a piece which they were looking at - as he attempted to put it into his pocket they came unfolded - they were shewn several pieces afterwards, and when they were going out I came down, and took the handkerchiefs from Phillips; they were in his hand, which was down by the side of the counter - when I went to take him he said, "There are some down here;" they had been in the shop full half an hour - it was full a quarter of an hour after Phillips took the handkerchiefs; Scroggins was nearest to the shop door - he could see what Phillips was doing; they were both looking at the handkerchiefs. Cross-examined by MR. LEE. Q. Who else was in the shop? A. Only my shopman; no other customers - the shop is perhaps a dozen yards long; I saw no other boy in the shop - when I took hold of Phillips, Scroggins ran away; I do not know which asked the price. WILLIAM ASHFORD . I am an officer. I went to the shop, and took Phillips into custody; I took Scroggins nearly three hours afterwards - these handkerchiefs were given me by Mr. Trotter. Phillips' Defence. I was going to get a place - a lad named Beaumont overtook me, and said he was going to buy a handkerchief; I went with him, and one piece fell off the counter - I took it in my hand, and was going to give it to them. ANN BROWN . On the 30th of October I saw Scroggins at home at a quarter-past nine o'clock in the morning, and from that to twenty minutes after; I lodge in the same house with his father, and have lodged there twelve months. COURT. Q.Where does his father and mother live? A.At No. 18, Wood's-buildings, Whitechapel-road; he had not been out that morning, he had been at home - he went out about twenty minutes after nine; he had been before that cleaning his shoes in the kitchen - he got up at near eight o'clock, to the best of my recollection; it was near ten o'clock when I went out - this is about a quarter of a mile from Mr. Trotter's; I do not know that I ever saw Phillips. THEODORE KIRBY . I am quite sure Scroggins was one of the boys - I had seen him before passing the house; they did not buy any thing. WILLIAM ASHFORD . When I took them one had 22s., and the other had something. PHILLIPS - GUILTY . Aged 14. SCROGGINS - GUILTY . Aged 14. Transported for Seven Years . No Edward Phillips found as a convict in the right time frame. John Scroggins was 16 years old on arrival. He was 4’5 ½” tall, brown complexion, drk brown hair, dark blue eyes, could read and write, protestant, Scar on top of head rt. Side, Scar on rt. temple. lisps. Scar on left Side of forehead, heart rt. arm J.S. Anchor left arm 5 dots between finger & thumb left hand Father: Richard Scoggins at woods buildings np.; 2 brothers and 1 sister with father. 1832-33 musters: Assigned to Mr J Thomas. 1835 muster: Assigned to Mr Griffiths. 8/5/1838 Colonial Times, Hobart: SUPREME COURT-CRIMINAL SIDE. Before Mr. Justice Montagu and a Military Jury.I FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1838. John Scroggins was indicted for a burglary in the house of Mr. Finnigan, in Argyle-street, on the 10th March last. Mr. Finnigan deposed to the following facts. On the 10th Marcb, he left his house about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, leaving the doors locked, and the windows fastened. On his return sometime afterwards, he found the back door, and one of the windows open, and some wearing apparel emptied out of some trunks, and packed up on the floor, ready for removal. The prisoner was standing near the prosecutor's house, and when Mr. Finnigan gave the alarm, he ran off, as did, also, another man, who effected his escape into the Government paddock. A person, named Bennett, the prosecutor's next door neighbour, deposed to the taking of the prisoner, and the witness's wife identified him, as one of two persons she had seen come out of Mr. Finnigan's yard, during his absence. Guilty-Death recorded. No further records of him found.