William Sullivan

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Dianne Jones on 11th November 2023

TRIAL #2: 860. WILLIAM SULLIVAN was again indicted with HARRIET TEDBURY (21), for unlawfully uttering counterfert coin. MR. POLAND conducted the prosecution. GEORGE CANTY. On Thursday 6th September I saw the two prisoners together, nearly opposite the ‘Elephant and Castle’—I went in there, saw the woman at the bar, and shortly after the man came in. TEDBURY. I have only to say this man is a stranger to me, and I was not in his company. EDMUND BIDDICK. On Thursday, 6th September, the female prisoner came into my house—I served her with a bottle of soda-water, and she gave me a bad shilling—she had a leather purse in her hand she took out another shilling, which was also bad—I said, "This is as bad as the other one," and bent it up—she said, "I took it at the steamboat pier"—I sent for a constable and gave, her into custody—during that time the male prisoner came in and called for a glass of ale—from information I received, I took the man to the station-house. WILLIAM DORE. The female prisoner was given into my custody, and Mr. Biddick gave me two bad shillings—she said she got them at the steamboat pier—she was sober. WILLIAM KEEN. I saw Sullivan drop this parcel from his hand—I picked it up showed it to my master, and within two or three minutes took it to the police-station and gave it to the inspector. EDWIN TOWNSEND. The last witness brought me this packet at the station. WILLIAM WEBSTER. The coins produced are all bad. Tedbury in a written defence stated that she did not know the money was bad. TEDBURY— GUILTY. Confined Two years. SULLIVAN— GUILTY .**— Ten years’ Penal Servitude. (https://www.oldbaileyonline.org) --00--

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Dianne Jones on 11th November 2023

1866, 17 September: TRIAL #1: Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court), London; before Mr Kerr 859. WILLIAM SULLIVAN (40), Unlawfully having counterfeit coin in his possesion, with intent to utter it. MR. POLAND conducted the Prosecution. GEORGE CANTY. I am a tobacconist at 20, Beresford Square, Woolwich—on Thusday, 6th September, I saw the prisoner near the "Elephant and Castle" with the woman who is standing behind—(Harriet Tedbury; see next case)—I went over to the "Elephant and Cattle" to have a glass of ale, and while there a female came in—she tendered a bad shilling, and while she was there the prisoner came in—I am sure they were the persons I saw outside—I saw a parcel in the man's hand. EDMUND BIDDICK. I am the landord of the "Elephant and Castle," Beresford Square, Woolwich—on Thursday evening, 6th September, the female came to my house—I served her with some soda-water, and she gave me a bad shilling—I told her it was bad—she said, "I have another one; my friends are respectable; my character will bear the strictest investigation"—she, took out her purse and gave me another shilling, which was also bad—she said, she got them from the steamboat pier, coming across the water—about five minutes; after that the prisoner came in and asked for a glass of beer—he did not speak to the woman, or take any notice of her whatever—I sent my waiter for a policeman, and gave the woman into custody—I got the prisoner up to the station, and he was taken there—I gave the two shillings to the constable, after marking them. WILLIAM KEEN. I am a labourer, and live at 6, Peat Street, Woolwich—on Thursday, 6th September, I saw the prisoner going along with Mr. Biddick and another person—I saw something go out of his hand—I looked after it and could not find it—a little further on I saw something else drop and picked it up—it was a parcel with a bit of tissue-paper round it—it contained seven bad shillings—I took it to the station and gave it to the inspector on duty. EDWIN TOWNSEND (Police Inspector R). I was at the station when the woman was brought there—shortly after she was charged the last witness brought me a parcel containing seven counterfeit shillings wrapped separately in paper—I took him to the cell to see the prisoner, and he said, "That's him," or, "That's the man"—I showed the prisoner the parcel containing the shillings, and said, "This man says he saw you throw these away on your way to the station"—he made no answer to that. WILLIAM DORE (Woolwich Arsenal Police 149). I took the woman into custody—Mr. Biddick gave me these two shillings (produced). WILLIAM WEBSTER. The two shillings that were passed are both bad—there are seven shillings all bad, and there are four from one mould; and from the same mould as one of the shillings passed, and there is another one of the same mould as the second shilling passed—the florins are bad. Prisoner's Defence. I did not throw the 7s. away, it was impossible—two gentlemen were walking with me—I was at the station-house half an hour before that man came—he took them home—I suppose he thought they were good—if they had been I should not have heard anything of this. GUILTY. He pleaded guilty to a former conviction, in February, 1866, (See next case.) --0--

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Dianne Jones on 11th November 2023

COMMITTAL: 1866, 12 September: William Sullivan was committed to stand trial, charged with “unlawfully uttering counterfeit coin, well-knowing the same to be counterfeit” (UK, After-Trial Calendar of Prisoners, 1855-1931 for William Sullivan; 1866) --0--