| Reference Number | t17210419-10 |
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| Verdicts | Guilty; Guilty |
| Sentences | Death |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 22 September 2023), April 1721, trial of John Thompson , alias Williams (t17210419-10). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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John Thompson , alias Williams , of St. Brides , was Indicted on the late Transportation Act, for receving 20 Guineas for helping the Prosecutor to his Silver Watch and Chain, a Silver Snuff Box, a Letter Case, and one Guinea, on the 15th of July last, Which were privately stole from him by a Person unknown, and not Apprehending, Prosecuting, and giving Evidence against the Felon who stole them , according to the said Act of Parliament, whereby it is enacted that all Person so offending shall be in the Felon's place and undergo such Punishment as the Law hath appointed according to the Nature of the Felony. The Prosecutor deposed, that about the Middle of July last, he was in a House more than a quarter of an Hour, and being in Liquor fell into ill Company, and had is Watch, Snuff Box, Letter Case and a Guinea privately taken from him. That he believed he saw the Prisoner in the House the same Night, but could not be positive. That the next Morning the Prisoner came to him, (having found who he was by his Pocket Book) and told the Prosecutor that he perceived he had fallen into ill Company the last Night, and that he believed he could do him some service in helping him to his Goods again; that he askt 30 Guineas for such service; but the Prosecutor told him that was a great deal more than they were worth, and at last agreed with him 20 Guineas, which he gave him when he deliver'd
the Goods. That the Prisoner told him he believed he lost them at the Corner of the Old Baily, for he saw two Boys busy about him, and disturbed them, but believed that they afterwards pickt his Pocket, and that it was his Business to take up Pick-pockets and Idle People. That some time after the Prisoner came to him again, and said he had been in Trouble about his Affair, had been in Prison and put to great Expences, and hoped he would contribute something to his Charges. That he offered him Two Guineas but the Prisoner complaining that was too little, he gave him Five Guineas. That the Prisoner came to him another time, and told him that Katharine Lunn had swore a Bastard Child to him, but had entrusted him with the Warrant, and that himself and John Gale would be security to the Parish if he (the Prosecutor) would give him a handsom Sum. Whereupon he caused the Prisoner to be apprehended. The Prisoner in his Defence said that he did no known of the Act of Parliament; and that he did not receive the Money of the Prosecutor, and had but 4 Guineas of it. Upon which the Prosecutor being called again, deposed, that he gave the Prisoner 20 Guineas, and a Guinea a-piece to two Men he had with him. And being askt how he had his Goods and Money about him, said that his Watch was in his Fob, his Letter-Case in his Wastcoat Pocket, his Snuff Box in the other Wastcoat Pocket, and his Money in his Breeches Pocket, and that he did not fall down as he went home. The Jury considering the whole matter, found him Guilty . Death .
He was a second time indicted by the Name of John Thompson, of St. Dunstan in the West , for feloniously stealing two half Guineas , the Money of John Dennison , on the 20th of February last. The Prosecutor deposed, that as he was going through White Fryers he saw the Beadle and a Woman standing at a Door seeming to quarrel together, that when he came near, the Beadle went away, and the Woman called to him (the Prosecutor) pretending to know him; that he went in, and she lockt and bolted the Doors, that there were some Women Washing, who asked him to make them drink, which he did, that he went up Stairs, and Mrs: Thompson pickt his Pocket of his Watch and Money, and told him he should have his Watch again if he would bring a Guinea to pay the Reckoning; whereupon he went and borrowed two half Guineas of a Friend, and came back to redeem his Watch, when he came back he saw the Prisoner there, and his Wife bid him give the Money to the Prisoner (which the Prosecutor held chinking in his Hand) and he would give him his Watch; but the Prosecutor saying that he would see his Watch before he parted with his Money, the Prisoner snatcht the two half Guineas out of his Hand by Force; That the Prisoner has since offered to make it up with him several times. Mr. Dentworth (the Constable) deposed, that he saw the Prosecutor as in distress with one Foot in the Door, the other out, and going up to his Assistance he told him he had been robb'd of his Watch; but the Woman said he had not been robb'd, but had left it for the Reckoning, which came to half a Guinea, and half a Guinea more for flauging him; and went up and fetcht the Watch down and gave it to this Evidence. The Prisoner denied that he snatcht the Money out of the Prosecutor's hand, and said, that he was out all that Day till 10 or 11 at Night, and called Richard Shepherd and Richard Saunders to prove his being with them at the Parrot in Green-Arbor-Court in the Old-Baily, and in Smithfield all that time; but they faultering in their Evidence; and the latter being in A Fit or Agony; and the Prosecutor being very positive, the Jury found him Guilty of this Indictment also.