Catherine Stewers

343

Maureen Withey on 10th October 2023

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 10 October 2023), May 1833, trial of CATHERINE STEWERS (t18330516-62). CATHERINE STEWERS, Theft > pocketpicking, 16th May 1833. 946. CATHERINE STEWERS was indicted for stealing, on the 11th of April , 1 5l. bank note, the property of Henry Charles Norris , from his person , against the Statute, &c. HENRY CHARLES NORRIS . I am foreman to a farmer. I came to town from Cambridge on the 11th of April -I fell in with the prisoner and another woman about four o'clock the same day; they were strangers to me - I was a little in liquor, but knew what I was about; we were walking down Holborn , and they asked me to treat them, and I treated them at one or two houses; we then went into the York Arms, but I believe they paid for what they had there - I passed a 5l. note to the hands of the landlord to give me change; he said he could not - the prisoner then took the note from my hand, and gave it to the other woman, who went out with it; the landlord accused the prisoner of having it; she said she had not - she was taken immediately; she offered to make up the matter by giving me 2l. or 3l.; it was a 5l. Bank of England note. Cross-examined by MR. DOANE. Q Had you not another woman in company with you before you saw the prisoner? A. No, Sir; the prisoner and the other woman were in company, the other woman had a child in her arms; they called me uncle - the prisoner said, I will take care of it for you; we went into two or three houses, it might be five or six - they did not refuse to serve me in any of those places - I did not drop the note in any public-house, I had it in my side pocket; I did not take it out till I got into the house where I was robbed of it - I will not swear that I did not. CHARLES BURT . I am assistant to my mother who keeps the York Arms. The prosecutor came there with two women, the prisoner was one; the women had something to drink, but the prosecutor had not; he offered me a 5l. note to change, and pay for what they had - I said I could not change it; he said he had no more money - the prisoner said she had money, and she paid for what they had had with a shilling - she then said to the prosecutor, "Uncle, give me the note, I will take care of it," and she stretched out her hand, and took the note from his hand; the other woman was gone in a minute; the prosecutor seemed surprised, but in a minute he said to the prisoner "Give me my note" - she said she had no note - I said, "You have, I saw you take it;" I opened the door and called the policeman. Cross-examined. Q. How many persons were there in front of the bar? A.There were only the prosecutor and the two females; the prisoner brought the child in, but the other woman took the child before the prisoner took the note - I am certain the prisoner took it, she was not out of my sight. DANIEL SMITH (police-constable G 146). Mr. Burt called me in - I asked the prisoner where the note was? - she said she had never seen it, and I might search her; in taking her to the station, she said she did take it, and offered the prosecutor 3l. to make it up - on the Saturday following, the man she lives with came and offered 3l.; and when the prisoner was before the magistrate the third time, she said she gave the note to the other woman. Prisoner's Defence. I was looking into a linen-draper's window, he came and asked what I was looking at? - I said what was that to him; I went on, he followed me; I looked behind, and saw a woman with a child walking with him; the woman asked me to have something to drink, and we went into a house, but he was so much in liquor they would not serve him - I drank a little and came out, and the woman followed me; they then went into two or three other public-houses, and had gin and water, and he bought the woman a new pair of boots, and a pair of socks; the prosecutor dropped his note in the shoemaker's shop - we then went to Mr. Burt's, and the prosecutor gave the note into his hand; I took it and gave it to him, and said "Don't drop it" - I would not have it changed in my presence - I looked round and the female was gone, he then accused me of taking it; my husband came up, and asked what I did with the money I had to buy the gown; I said they stopped me, I went and had some drink - the prosecutor said, if I remand you for a week will you give me something - I said I cannot unless I distress my home - I had nothing to do with it; he said he wished I would tell him who the other woman was; my husband was a fortnight looking for her but could not find her. GUILTY . Aged 23. - Transported for Fourteen Years .

221

D Wong on 11th July 2014

On the 31st of August 1833 the Amphitrite ran aground on a sandbank in sight of Boulogne and it was apparent to locals that the ship was in grave danger as it was low tide and the locals knew that it would soon be swamped by the massive tide. Attempts were made by the French to save the passengers and crew but assistance was refused by Captain Hunter. 108 female convicts, 12 children and a crew of 16 were on board and only 3 of the crew survived.