William (The Younger) Tout

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Maureen Withey on 8th July 2021

William Clarke and Robt. and Wm. Tout alias Greenslade, for burglary in the house of Jas. Stone, and stealing meat; Bath Chronicle, 17 Aug 1826. William Clark, Willlam Tout, the elder, Robert, Stephen. James, and William Tout, sons of William Tout, the elder, were indicted for burglary and robbery in the house of James Stone, of the parish of .... It appeared that the prosecutors house was broken open on the night of ? May last, and a large quantity of beef and bacon, with other property, taken away. Suspicion having been excited, the house of William the elder was searched, and the greater part the stolen property was discovered in a case, which was ingeniously constructed behind outhouse to the dwelling-house of the elder Tout. To connect the other prisoners with, he proved that William Tout, the younger, and William Clark, had come from Taunton, where they lived, to old Tout’s house, the evening before the robbery, and that they and Robt. Tout were seen returning old Tout’s house, about four o'clock on the morning of the robbery, bringing packages. When the prisoners were examined before the Magistrates, they admitted that Clark, William Tout the younger, and Robert Tout had entered Mr. Stone’s house, through the kitchen window, and taken the property in question. William Tout, the elder, confessed that he received the properly, knowing it stolen. When before the magistrates one of the prisoners was proved to have said, “it don’t matter, we shan't topped (hanged) for it, though we be legged {transported) for fourteen years. There was no evidence to convict the prisoners, Stephen and James Tout, of the robbery. William Clark, William Tout the younger, and Robert Tout were found guilty of the burglary and robbery, and sentence of death was recorded against them. William Tout, the elder, was found guilty of receiving the goods, knowing them to be stolen, and was sentenced to transported for fourteen years. Taunton Courier, 16 Aug 1826.