Thomas Heffield

Level 110

Ron Garbutt on 21st March 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 21 March 2020), September 1827, trial of THOMAS HEFFIELD, alias BROWN (t18270913-357). THOMAS HEFFIELD, Theft > animal theft, 13th September 1827. Third London Jury - before Mr. Sergeant Arabin. 1944. THOMAS HEFFIELD, alias BROWN , was indicted for stealing, on the 25th of July , at St. Giles without, Cripplegate, 1 gelding, price 6l. , the property of John Stevens . JOHN STEVENS. I am a higler , and live at Chingfordgreen, Essex. On Tuesday, the 24th of July, I was at Chelmsford races, where I had a drinking-booth. I saw my gelding safe at ten o'clock that night, when I sent my man with it - it was a black gelding - it was brought down to be fed at the booth; it was turned out to grass on Galley-common , adjoining the race-course - there were other stall-keepers' horses there. I sent my man for it next morning and it was gone - my man is not here. I sent him nearly twenty miles to look for it; my wife's brother found it in Smithfield. I saw it there myself, at the Ram Inn-yard, on the following Saturday - I know nothing of the prisoner. THOMAS BARKER . I am an officer of Smithfield. On Friday the 27th of July, I was on duty in Smithfield - it was horse market day; some man came to me, and asked if I would come to the Ram-yard, and take possession of a horse which they had found, belonging to somebody in the country. I went and found this gelding there, in possession of a man named Clinsey; and from what he said, I went to Dixon's Repository, and from what I heard there, I went there on the Monday at nine o'clock - I left, and went again at ten; I then found the prisoner in custody. I asked him where he got the horse; he said a man met him in the street leading the horse, and asked him to take it and sell it for him, and he would give him 5s. if he would sell it, and bring him the money. I asked the prisoner his name, he said it was Thomas Brown, and that the man who employed him was John Linton, of Church-street, Bethnal-green. I asked where the man was - he said he was waiting for him at a public-house close by - I asked him where the public-house was, and said I would go and take this Linton - he said it was in Beech-street or Barbican, on the right hand side of the way, but he did not know the name of the street, nor the sign of the house; he said he would go and show me; I asked if he could not give me a better description; he then said it was at the Star public-house, in the City-road, opposite the Lying-in Hospital - I asked what sort of a man it was; he said a tall thin man, with drab coat and top-boots - I secured him, and then went to the Star in the City-road; I had some porter, and inquired if they had seen such a person,but they had not. I afterwards showed the same horse to the prosecutor, who claimed it - as I took him down the yard, he said, "I have told you part, I may as well tell you all; my name is Heffield;" I said, "Is it not Thomas?" he said Yes. THOMAS SEARES . I am clerk at Dixon's repository, Barbican. On Wednesday, the 25th of July, about twelve o'clock at noon, the prisoner brought this horse to our repository - I entered it in the day book - I asked him what name; he said, "Linton, Church-street, Bethnal-green;" he booked it, "Quiet to ride, and quiet in harness, to be sold to the highest bidder" - it was sold to the highest bidder, at the Friday's sale for 1l. 10s. - it was small and very lean - it was delivered to the purchaser, who paid me for it; he is not here, but I understand he took it to Smithfield - it was knocked down to a Mr. Hedges, but afterwards transferred to Mr. Clansey, who paid me, and took it away. THOMAS BARKER . I shewed the prosecutor the same horse, and also shewed it to Seares. THOMAS SEARES . I saw it - it was the same horse; the prisoner gave his name as Thomas Brown - he called on Monday for the money, and I detained him. JOHN STEVENS . The horse they showed me was mine, and the one I lost from Chelmsford. Prisoner's Defence. I was coming from Islington, down the City-road - this man was coming down Old-street-road with the horse; he beckoned to me, and asked me to take the horse to Dixon's, which I did - and asked the boy if that was the sale day - he said No. I asked if I should take it home; he said I might leave it, which I did, to be sold on Friday. I went and told the man, and he asked if I should be that way on the Monday - I said, Yes; he told me to meet him, and he would pay me for my trouble - I went and met him, and then went to get the money - he said he would give me 5s.; when I got there, I told them the name I booked it in. THOMAS BARKER . I went to Church-street, Bethnalgreen; next day, and was about there some hours, but no such person as Linton could be found or heard of. GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 23. Recommended to mercy by the prosecutor, understanding him to bear a good character . https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/print.jsp?div=t18270913-357