The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

495.   HENRY SOLOMONS (29), and   WILLIAM  TRAYS (21) , Burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of   William Irons, and stealing two watches, two chains, and other goods.

MR. COOPER conducted the Prosecution; MR. RIBTON defended Solomons,

and MR. ROLAND defended  Trays.

  JOHN WILTSHIRE (Policeman N 42). About 8.30 on the night of 24th May, I saw the prisoners with two others at the bottom of Mildmay Road—I had not known them before—I watched them for some time—they were going in the direction of Stoke Newington Green—I lost sight of them—about three quarters of an hour after that I heard a rattle and went to 113, Mildmay Road—I went down the area steps, and saw Solomons in the custody of 179 N—on the way to the station I received brooch from Mr. Shirt.

Cross-examined by MR. RIBTON. Q. You had never seen Solomons before?

A. Not to my knowledge—I was coming from Kingsland Gate and saw him at the bottom of Mildmay Road, with three others—I passed them on the opposite side of the way, and left them standing there.

Cross-examined by MR. ROLAND. Q. You had not seen  Trays before? A. No—I did not like the look of him at all—they were about sixty yards from where the burglary took place.

  GEORGE SILVERTON (Police Inspector N). About 4 o'clock on the morning of 24th May, I examined the house, 43, Queen Margaret's Grove—I found the front door had been forced by a jemmy—the box of the lock was forced back—I found footmarks in the garden, and in fifteen other gardens they went over—they are all small gardens, divided by low walls.

  WILLIAM IRONS . I live at 43, Queen Margaret's Grove, Mildmay Park, and am a contractor—on 23rd May, I returned home about 10 o'clock—I found a crowd outside the house, and that the house had been broken into—I missed a gold watch, a pair of earrings, and other articles, from a box in the bedroom—this brooch (produced) was one of the articles—it was in the box with the other things.

  KATE IRONS . I am the wife of the last witness—on 23rd May, I closed the house about 6 o'clock, leaving all safe—I came back about 9.45, and saw a crowd of persons outside—I found the back door open and the drawing-room door—I had locked them both before I went out.

  HERBERT SHIRT . I live at 113, Mildmay Road, and am a salesman—on 23rd May, about 9.30, I was in my garden—I heard a noise, and saw three or four men jump over my wall—I followed them, and they jumped over four more walls—I then followed one of them—he ran into an empty house and hid himself in a corner—I followed him and asked him what he was doing—it was the prisoner Solomons—he said "It is all right, Charley, I have only been having a fight"—I did not know him at all—he said he had been doing nothing wrong, and would go through my house—we went over the walls again and went into my house, and I detained him in the passage—he made all the excuse he could to get away, and threatened to kick me if I did not let him go—I gave him into custody—I afterwards found this brooch in my pocket.

Cross-examined by MR. RIBTON. Q. You saw a number of men jump over the wall? A. Yes, three or four—the others went over the walls, got into the road, and succeeded in getting away—my house and Mr. Irons' are back to back—they came over from the next garden—I don't know how they got into the next garden—you cannot get into the gardens from the street, without going through the houses or over the wall of the end garden.

  AUGUSTUS GEORGE MANN . My father keeps the Lady Mildmay public-house—about 9.15 on 23rd May, I saw four men in Queen Margaret's Grove— Trays was one of the men—I went into the Mildmay Road, and heard a cry of "Thieves!"—I came back and saw  Trays in custody—I believe Solomons was also one of the four men.

Cross-examined by MR. RIBTON. Q. You said before the Magistrate you could not be positive? A. Yes—to the best of my belief Solomons was one—I could not swear to him.

Cross-examined by MR. ROLAND. Q. What were you doing? A. I was delivering my beer—the men were standing still, outside 46, Queen Margaret's Grove.

  ANTONIO PELLAI . I live at 46, Queen Margaret's Grove—about 9.30 on 23rd May, my attention was called to the road, and I went out—I saw

 Trays close to my gate, trying to listen to what we were saying—I next saw three men go into Mr. Irons' house, No. 43— Trays then began to whistle—I went to him and asked him what he whistled for—he said, for his dog—I said "Where is the dog?"—he said "Here"—I said "I don't see any dog about here," there was only my own dog—he said "He was here, a black and white dog"—I did not see any dog—mine was white and dark brown—I took hold of  Trays and kept him till a policeman came—whilst he was whistling, I saw some men at the top window of Mr. Irons' house, with a light—as soon as he left off whistling they put down the light and away they went.

Cross-examined by MR. ROLAND. Q. Was  Trays with the other three? A. No, I did not see him with them—he did not resist when I laid hold of him.

  JESSIE ELIZABETH DICKSON . I live at 46, Queen Margaret's Grove—I went to the door between 9 and 9.30, and saw four men standing outside the gate, between our house and the next—I went to the dining-room window and looked through the blind—they stood there about a minute, and then went away—I called Mr. Pellai—I saw three of the men go into Mr. Irons' house, and I stood at the gate with Mr. Pellai a few minutes— Trays passed and then stood still—he appeared to be listening to our conversation—Mr. Pellai caught hold of him, and we went over to the house.

Cross-examined by MR. ROLAND. Q.  Trays was going along the road, was he not? A. He was on the other side of the road—he did not seem excited when Mr. Pellai took hold of him.

SOLOMON— GUILTY .

He further PLEADED GUILTY to having been before convicted, in April, 1868**— Seven Years' Penal Servitude.

 TRAYS— GUILTY **— Seven Years' Penal Servitude.