The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

83, 84.   GEORGE CHARLES PARSONS and   CHARLES DAVIS were indicted for that they in a certain field and open place near the king's highway in and upon   James Dunbar did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and stealing from his person 5 s. in monies numbered, the property of the said   James Dunbar , December 1st .

  JAMES DUNBAR sworn.

As I was going from  Islington , between 7 and 8 o'clock, upon the first of December, in company with a young woman, I was met by the two prisoners at the bar; the prisoner   Charles Parsons presented a pistol to my breast and demanded my money; I gave him my money; he asked me if I had no more: I said, I had some half-pence; he demanded them; I gave them to him; then he demanded my watch; I said, I had none; I bid him search to satisfy himself; which he did: Davis was present; he stopped the young woman   Mary Spratley at the same time, then he turned about and presented his pistol to me.

Was it moon-light? - No; it was star-light.

How can you be sure to the persons of the men, as you say it was only star-light? - I know both their faces.

How were they dressed? - I cannot be certain; they were taken 9 days after; I knew them when they were taken; one was dressed as at the time he robbed me, in a great coat; I did not make any observation upon the dress of the other; the voice of the prisoner resembled Parsons.

  MARY SPRATLEY sworn.

I was stopped by Davis; I cannot speak to the person of Parsons; I think I observed sufficiently the face of Davis to be able to swear to him; after he robbed me he turned towards Mr. Dunbar.

'   Thomas Ward ,   Thomas Tapsell , and

'   Thomas Tracey deposed that they took the

'prisoners under suspicious circumstances;

'that upon   Charles Parsons they found a

'loaded pistol.'

PARSONS's DEFENCE.

I was at home when the robbery was committed.

DAVIS's DEFENCE.

I was at home at my father's house a-bed.

FOR DAVIS.

  DANIEL CLASS sworn.

I am a watch-engraver: I have known Davis rather above a twelve-month; he has worked for me that time; I have entrusted him to receive different bills; I have such a good opinion of him that I would not refuse now to intrust him in the same manner I have before.

  JOHN FELBY sworn.

I am a musick-engraver; I live in Petty France, Westminster: I have known the prisoner Davis from his infancy; I always looked upon him to be a very tractable good boy, industrious in his business and a good workman.

  WILLIAM TABER sworn.

I have known Davis from his infancy; he bears a very good character.

  RICHARD BRIGGS sworn.

I am a watch-engraver: I have known Davis from his infancy; I always thought him a hard-working industrious lad.

- BARNARD sworn.

I have known Davis 3 years; I lodged in the house with his father a year and a half; he worked very hard at home with his father.

FOR PARSONS.

  ELIZABETH PEARSON sworn.

I have known Parsons about a twelve-month; he worked for my husband; he has a very good character; the very day he was taken he went with a note, and brought every thing right.

  SAMUEL SEDGWICK sworn.

I am a joiner and house carpenter; I have known Parsons 6 or 7 years; he has a good character.

  JAMES DAVIS sworn.

I am a carpenter; I have known Parsons about 8 or 9 years.

What is he by profession? - I cannot justly say.

How does he get his living? - I often see him at his father's very busy and industrious; his father is a carpenter and surveyor.

BOTH GUILTY . Death .

Tried by the First Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.