The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

169, 170, 171.   THOMAS BROWN ,   DAVID JONES , and   WILLIAM JONES were indicted for stealing 14 lb. wt. of lump sugar, value 10 s . the property of   Robert Markland and   William Arnold , Jan. 17th .

  ROBERT MARKLAND sworn.

I am a grocer and am in partnership with   William Arnold . In the evening of the 17th of January the three prisoners came to our shop; I was busy in making out a gentleman's bid and settling the account.   David Jones asked for a quarter of a pound of sixpenny sugar; there were about one hundred loaves of sugar lay on the outside the counter;   Thomas Brown was the last that came in at the door.   William Jones laid his arm over the sugar which was against the counter, and I saw   Thomas Brown take away two loaves of sugar. I went out after him; the other men continued standing in the shop; I laid my hand on   Thomas Brown , about a dozen yards from the door and brought him back, and detained the other men supposing they were concerned in this business; the sugar was found at the corner of the shop; it weighed 14 lb. wt. the value of it is 10 s. it is our property.

One of the prisoners. Did not you swear that you knew it to be your property by the mark of a figure of 1 at the bottom? - I said so before the justice, and upon taking the sugar loaf up it appeared there was a figure of 2 at the bottom. There were about fifty loaves of each sort; one marked 1 at bottom the other 2. I thought this had been I, whereas it was marked 2. I am positive they were my property; and there were two lost out of those which stood against the counter.

  CHARLES BULLSON sworn.

I am a blacksmith. I picked up a loaf of sugar near the prosecutor's door between two pieces of old pumps. I was desired to seek for another. I took the candle of the shop; I then found another of the same sort that is now produced.

  DAVID JONES 's DEFENCE.

This lad and I came into the grocer's for a quarter of a pound of sixpenny sugar; he was just come home from sea. I asked him to take a walk with me, we were no relations; I asked him to stop till I got a quarter of a pound of sugar? He said he would come in with me. While this gentleman was serving me the sugar his sister came in and said she saw this lad take something from under the counter; he said indeed! he came round and said he thought he had lost some sugar loaves; he immediately stopped this young lad; and he then went out of doors and brought this boy in; he said I believe you are the boy that has taken my sugar loaves. He sent for an officer and we were taken before the justice.

BROWN's DEFENCE.

Going to look for my father a coalheaver; this man took hold of me and said he believed I was the boy that took something out of the shop. I was never near the shop before.

  WILLIAM JONES 's DEFENCE.

I was looking that day for a privateer; I went into the shop with this young man Jones. Somebody came in and stole some sugar; and as soon as he found the loaves he stopped this young man and me directly. I never saw this boy.

For the prisoners.

  ELEANOR YOUNG sworn.

My boy   William Jones 's name is Young; they have given him the name of Jones; I do not know the reason of it, he never has given any occasion to disparage his name. My husband is serving the king by sea.

What business does your son follow? - He has been at sea.

How has he behaved himself? - Very

well as far as ever I heard. I expected to get him into a lady's place; he is the youngest of eleven.

BROWN GUILTY .

DAVID JONES NOT GUILTY .

WILLIAM JONES NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the Second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice WILLES.

[Fine. See summary.] [Military/Naval duty. See summary.]