The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

17.   OWEN LYONS was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 10th day of November last, a silver watch, value 40 s. a gold breast pin, value 10 s. a rose diamond

breast pin, value 20 s. a pair of silk stockings, value 3 s. two cambrick handkerchiefs, value 1 s. a pair of breeches, value 10 s. a gown and coat, value 40 s. a Marseilles petticoat, value 40 s.

(The witnesses examined separate.)

  CONSTANTINE EGAN sworn.

I live in  Short's-gardens, Drury-lane ; I was robbed in November last; I lost my watch, which was taken out of my bedroom, my wife's diamond hat pin, which was a rose diamond, and my gold shirt pin; the other things were bundled up by the prisoner; they were all removed, some from the drawers in the bed-room, and some from the chair; I found the door broke open, and the bundle laying at the door: about half after two, on the 10th of November, my brother came, and told me that my friend at the bar had robbed me a second time; then I went to the building, and such men that I could place confidence in, I sent after this gentleman; and the men who are in Court, took him about nine that night.

  HANNAH EGAN sworn.

On this day I went out about eleven or twelve o'clock; I was at home about half after twelve; I sat down to dinner below stairs, and had finished about two; I was alarmed by my little dog in the passage, and I opened the door, and I saw the prisoner go out of the street door; I followed him, and I called him by his name, and he dropped a pair of stockings which I have in the bundle; I picked them up; they were mine; I have a right to know him; I said to a person in the place, Owen has robbed me again; and I went up and found my bed-room door broke open; the prisoner worked for my husband, and lodged with me; I went up stairs, and picked up a bundle in a sheet; I opened it, and found my husband's breeches in it the first; and there was a gown and coat, a Marseilles petticoat, and a dimity petticoat, and a muslin shawl; the sheet was off my bed, and the things from my drawers; I missed a diamond pin, and a gold pin, and I believe, two handkerchiefs; I missed the watch off the nail; I am no judge of the value; I leave that to a better judge; my gown and coat are new; the whole together I would not take five pounds for; I positively know the man; I saw the side of his face as he was going off the step of my door.

  JOHN SUTTON sworn.

I work for the prosecutor; he asked me to go to search for the prisoner: the prosecutor shewed me at his room, the staple of the door had been broke off, and the things bundled up: about a quarter past nine, I with the prosecutor, met with the prisoner in Drury-lane; the prosecutor laid hold of him directly; he was searched in my presence, and two pence halfpenny was found upon him; when he was taken, he behaved in a restive manner.

- FREEMAN sworn.

I was sent for to take the prisoner into custody; and then I searched for the watch; and I took the prosecutor with me; I had an information that it was at a pawn-broker's, Mr. Woodin's, in Drury-lane; I went there, and described the watch; they produced it; I saw it answered the description, and I shewed it to the prosecutor; he said, that was his watch; I desired the pawnbroker's man who took it in, to appear at the magistrate's, which he did, and produced it.

  WILLIAM NORRIS sworn.

I produce the watch which was pledged with me, I believe, by the prisoner; I think he is the person; there was another person taken up with him at the magistrate's, to whom I had sold a watch; this watch was pledged in the name of   Owen Lyons , on the 10th of November.

Court to Freeman. How did you get information to go to this pawnbroker's? - I heard it in a conversation at a public-house; I had a hint given me.

Court to Prosecutor. What do you say to the value of all these things? - They are fairly worth five pounds, but I am no judge of such things, if it was a piece of brickwork I could value it better; the watch, the pins, and the handkerchiefs, were in the bundle.

(The watch deposed to by the maker's name, and number, and seal; the stockings deposed to.)

Prisoner. I know no more of this than the child unborn.

  THOMAS EGAN sworn.

On the 10th of November last, after this robbery was committed on my brother, he came to me where I was at work, and he told me of it; we went in quest of him and took him; he was very drunk; that is all I know.

GUILTY , Death .

Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice ASHURST.