Peter Vigo

221

D Wong on 15th October 2016

Old Bailey: PETER VIGO, Violent Theft > robbery, 22nd October 1860. Offence: Violent Theft > robbery Verdict: Guilty > no_subcategory Punishment: Imprisonment > penal servitude PETER VIGO (25) , Robbery on Mary Ann Patman, and stealing from her person 1 purse, and 10s. 6d. in money, her property. MR. CARTER conducted the Prosecution. MARY ANN PATMAN . I am a widow, of 30, Leman-street—on Monday, 1st October, I was walking along Islington, about 8 o'clock in the evening with my cousin, Thomas Howard, arid Elizabeth Bullace—the prisoner knocked up against me at the corner of the Liverpool-road, and struck me several times—I drew my hand out of my pocket to save my face from the blows, and he tore my pocket, and took my purse—I held him as long as I could, but he got away—I am sure he is the person—I saw him the next Friday at the station—my cousin had taken him in custody, and came to fetch me—I did not pick him out. Cross-examined by MR. LILLEY. Q. Were there shops near? A. Yes—I was in conversation at the time—I had never seen the prisoner before—he came against me suddenly—I felt alarmed for a few minutes—he was, dressed the same as he is now—I do not live in that neighbourhood—I know that a great many workmen wear flannel jackets. MR. CARTER. Q. Had you given a description of the person in the mean time? A. Yes. THOMAS HOWARD . I live in Albion-street, Balls Pond—I was walking with Mrs. Patman, and saw the prisoner run his head into her chest—he cut her pocket and punched her on the mouth at the same time—he got away. Cross-examined. Q. Were there any shops near the spot? A. There was a public-house—I and the two ladies were walking together—I am a single man—one lady was married, and one a widow—I saw the prisoner in custody on the Friday following, but I saw him before that a great many times as I was passing to my work of a morning—my cousin called for me on this evening, and I went out to take a walk with her—I had never spoken to the prisoner—I have seen him standing against the toll-gate many times, when I have been going to work of a morning—I have seen him about five times altogether, and always against the toll-gate—I do not know any other persons whom I have noticed there—I ran after the prisoner when he ran his head into my cousin's chest—he ran into a public-house—when I got in at one door, he was out at the other. MR. CARTER. Q. When you saw him on that night, did you remember him as the person you had seen of a morning? A. Yes—I met him in the same public-house that he went into on that night, called the police, and gave him in custody, but I could not press the charge till I fetched my cousin. See original Click to see original ELIZABETH BULLACE . I am the wife of Henry Bullace, of Albion-place, Dorset-street—I was with the two last witnesses, and saw the prisoner run against my sister—he butted her in the chest, pushed her about, hit her in I the mouth, put his hand under her dress, and took this purse from her pocket—he also struck me in trying to get my sister from my hold, and I suffered from it for some days—I had never seen him before. Cross-examined. Q. Had you taken any refreshment? A. No, only my tea a few minutes previous—we had not called anywhere. GEORGE RALPH WILTSHIRE (Policeman, N 158). I took the prisoner on I the Friday evening following, at the corner of the Liverpool-road—Howard, who was with me, charged him with picking the pocket of 10s. 6d.—he said that he knew nothing of it. Cross-examined, Q. Did you find anything on him? A. Only two penknives. GUILTY .—He was further charged with having been before convicted. BENJAMIN GOODWIN (Policeman, M 5). I produce a certificate—(Read: "Central Criminal Court, December, 1855. John Day, convicted of stealing a watch from the person; sentenced to Four Year's Penal Servitude")—I was present—the prisoner is the man—he has only lately come back. GUILTY.— Six Year's Penal Servitude. Peter was 25 years old on arrival in WA, he was 5' 5 1/4" tall, sandy hair, brown eyes, long face, sallow complexion, slim build, literate, RC. 29/12/1863: TOL 15/12/1869: COF 25/2/1871 The Herald, Fremantle WA: Peter Vigo, charged by P.C. Osborne with being drunk using obscene language and resisting the policew. Fined 10s., or seven days imprisonment. 21/9/1872 The Herald, Fremantle, WA: Robert Cooley and Pter Vigo were conjointly charged with an audacious robbey fro the person of one Joseph Weaver, a watch, albert chain, locket and £3 in noyrd. This robbery was effected in the public house of Mr., J. Thomas, on whose evidence and that of his son, both prisoners were fully committed for trial. 15/11/1872 Perth Gazette: Verdict: Guilty - sentenced to penal servitude for 5 years. 13/5/1876: TOL 20/8/1879: COF Perth. 20/6/1883 The Inquirer, Perth: City Police Court yesterday morning. Peter Vigo was sent to gaol for one month as a vagabond -(looks like vagabond). 24/7/1883 The Daily News, Perth: Peter Vigo was brought up on a similar charge, (being dunk and disorderly), but the nature of his disorderly conduct consisted of insulting ladies while they were walking' down Hay-street, and in 'indulging in v-lo and profane language. The prisoner declared that he was gifted with too much ' decenment ' to behave in such a disreputable manner, but the Police Magistrate proved that he did not agree with him, by sending him to gaol for a month. 9/3/1886: Charged with lunacy - remanded. Peter Vigo was brought up, on remand, charged with being a lunatic Mr. Price : We have a report from Dr. Waylen, who has examined you, stating that you are of unsound mind. Vigo: What am I unsound in? I am rational enough. Mr. Price : But the doctor says you are not sound mentally, so you must be removed to tho Lunatic Asylum. Vigo : Oh ! I suppose, then, I shall have to go. And he went. 2/5/1889: Peter Vigo— who presented a wretched appearance, having a large wound on the left side of his head, while his face was disfigured .with coagulated blood— was charged with vagrancy. Many more court appearances for vagrancy and being drunk. 2/7/1905 Sunday Times, Perth: TRAM FATALITY. An old man named Peter Vigo (otherwise Henry McVeagh), an inmate of the Old Men's Depot, was run into hy a tram in Mount's Bay Road last night, and fatally injured. He was struck on the head and died shortly afterwards, after admission to the hospital, where he was removed by the fire brigade ambulance. An inquiry will be opened to-day.