| Reference Number | t17940917-106 |
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| Verdict | Guilty |
| Sentence | No Punishment > sentence respited |
| Related Material |  |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 01 April 2023), September 1794, trial of WILLIAM THOMPSON BENJAMIN JACKSON (t17940917-106). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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564. WILLIAM THOMPSON and BENJAMIN JACKSON was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 5th of September , a linen handkerchief, value 1s. the goods of Thomas Crosby .
I know nothing of the robbery.
I am a peace officer, I live in Duck-lane, Gutter-lane, Cheapside, on the 5th of this month, I was employed by the City for Bartholomew-fair to keep the peace; between two and three in the afternoon, I see a gentleman, the prosecutor, in the fair, he had got a child in his arms along in company with another gentleman, the prisoners were both following of him, the prosecutor stopt to shew his child the show, or something in Smithfield, and the nearest there (Jackson) he went up close to this gentleman, Mr. Crosby, and put his hand into Mr. Crosby's right hand pocket and drew up the handkerchief, not quite out, but part out, and he left the handkerchief which he had drew part out, and gave Thompson a nudge on the arm, and Thompson went up to Mr. Crosby directly and pulled the handkerchief out, I went up to them and laid hold of both of them directly, as soon as I laid hold of Thompson he threw the handkerchiefdown on the ground, I stopped Mr. Crosby and asked him if it was his handkerchief? he said it was.
Q. Did you observe these two lads together before? - They were both in company together, both following Mr. Crosby and another gentleman that was along with him.
Mr. Knapp. There were a great number of Persons of course assembled on this occasion, a great crowd? - Yes, there were.
Q. You had seen a great number of other persons in the course of the day that you had been obliged to watch? - Not that I know of; I watched these two particularly.
Q. You were not acquainted with these prisoners before? - I knew them before, and I believe a great many more besides.
Q. The prosecutor got his handkerchief again? - I have got it now, and have had it ever since.
- Court. You had known them before? I had seen them at a house, in Field-lane before.
Prosecutor. I know nothing more than the last witness has related; I suppose it is my handkerchief, but I never swore to it, nor cannot; there is no mark on it; I believe it is mine, and I had no handkerchief in my pocket when the witness informed me that my pocket was picked.
Mr. Knapp. It is a very common pattern indeed? - It is.
Prisoner Thompson. I look upon it to be of no use to speak any thing, for I look upon him to be a man that will say any thing. I have had friends here every day, waiting for my trial; I don't know whether they are here now or no.
Benjamin Jackson , GUILTY. (Aged 14.)
Judgment respited .
Tried by the London Jury, before Mr. COMMON SERGEANT.