James Stevens

342

Maureen Withey on 7th April 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 3 Dec 1829. Before Mr. Justice Littledale. 3. JAMES STEVENS , alias STEEDEN , was indicted for feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Charles Robert Wissett , on the 11th of November , at St. Marylebone, and stealing therein 1 watch, value 14l. , his property. JOSEPH METCALF. I am shopman to Charles Robert Wissett, a silversmith and jeweller , of No. 21, Upper York-street, in the parish of St. Marylebone - he keeps the house - the shop is part of the dwelling-house. On the 11th of November, about six o'clock in the evening, I heard the shop window break; it was whole before, and not cracked- I ran out, and saw the prisoner running down the street; I followed him, calling Stop thief! up Circus-street, into Nelson's-place, and never lost sight of him, except while he turned the corner, and saw him again directly I turned- he stopped running, began to walk, and turned back the same way as he had run; I went up to him, and collared him - I told him I wanted him; he said, "Me! I ayn't the man that robbed you" - I said he must go back with me to Mr. Wissett's; he went back, and I left him in the shop with Mr. Wissett - Knowles, an officer, was sent for: I went out to see what was stolen, and found a gold watch was gone; a handkerchief was in the window, which he had broken the window with; it did not belong to us - I had seen the watch safe a few minutes before, in the window, close to the broken pane - the window was whole on this day; the watch was my master's: the prisoner was running when I went out. Prisoner. Q. Were not the people coming the same way as I was myself? A. When I brought him back they were - he had stopped running, and turned back, and then the people following him turned back also; he passed me about a yard and a half before I could stop myself from running. ROBERT KNOWLES. I was a Police-man at the time in question, but have now left for a better situation. On the 11th of November, at half-past five o'clock, I was on duty in Seymour-place, and saw a parcel of people round Mr. Wissett's window, and walked up; Mr. Wissett was there- the prisoner was brought up by Metcalf in custody; Mr. Wissett gave him in charge - I followed him into the shop, and searched him; I felt in his trousers pocket, and found a gold watch - I then took him to the station-house in Harcourt-street, Marylebone; I asked how he came by the watch - he said a man going down the street said to him, "Here, d-n it, take it;" I had not said it would be better or worse for him to confess - I produce the watch. JOSEPH METCALF. This is Mr. Wissett's watch - here is the private-mark on it of what it cost; it is worth 14l. - we should sell it for 20l. Prisoner's Defence. I was returning home from work, up Stingo-lane, and saw a man running at full speed; he flung something down on a dung-hill - I went to see what it was, and instantly picked it up, not thinking it any harm; I was coming along the street; a mob came with me - the young man asked if I was not the man who broke the window; I said I was not - I went with him, and did not deny having the watch; I did not say a man told me to take it. [Thursday, Dec.3.] GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 18.