The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

433.   JOHN BENNETT was indicted for stealing a silver watch, value 3 l. two gold lockets, and a diamond ring , the property of   Charles Bremham , June 27th .

Mr.   CHARLES BREMHAM sworn.

I came from Oxford on Tuesday the 27th of June. I put up at an inn in Piccadilly, and went to see a friend in the city; he was going to the masquerade. I was coming back from the city to Piccadilly; my friend was going to  Carlisle-house ; I went with him to put him towards the door; when he got near the step of the door, I put my hand upon his shoulder, and said, good night. When I thought to return back I felt some one in the crowd pressing violently on the small of my back, and he cried get on, get on, as if an ox or a carriage was coming; I saw nothing to justify this. I felt a hand at the flap of my waistcoat, taking my watch out of my pocket. As I saw the hand come from my fob, I catched the man by the waistcoat and

said he had stolen my watch; he put his hand over the shoulder of a man who stood before him; I called a constable and told him the prisoner had taken my watch and given it to another person. We secured him and took him to the watch-house, there was nothing but a few half pence, a knife, and a bit of silk, found upon him.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I never had the watch.

Prosecutor. I think it my duty to say some thing for the prisoner. There is but one evidence against him, that is me; I may be mistaken. When the watch was taken from me it was eleven o'clock at night, in the dark, and in a crowd. The same voice which cried, get on, as it hurried me on, might have burried another person. If the jury bring him in guilty, I hope they will recommend him to mercy.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the First Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.