The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

441.   MARY BUNN was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 16th of May , a silver watch, value 20s. a base metal watch key, value 1d. a base metal watch chain, value 2d. and 7s. in money , the property of   Edward Doran .

  EDWARD DORAN sworn.

I am a labourer in Whitecross street; I lost my watch some time in the month of May, on a Monday; I went home with the prisoner about twelve o'clock at night, I slept there; when I waked in the morning about four o'clock there was nobody in the room, and the watch was gone and the money; I went back in about an hour, and she was then in the room; she said she did not take it, but I sent for a constable and had her taken up; there was another woman in the room; I was very much in liquor; the other told me in the morning I should have it if I would go with her, but this woman would not let her go with me; I have never seen it since.

  MARGARET CONNOR sworn.

I came out of Yorkshire, I have been married about three months to a soldier; and I was coming through London, and I met this woman, and I asked her for lodgings; I went home with her and slept with her, may be about a week, and she brought this man to the house to sleep and put him to bed.

Q. Was he very drunk? - A. I am sure I do not know; and then we went into a neighbour's house; she went up stairs for a candle, and I followed her; I met her upon the stairs with the man's breeches, and putting his watch in her bosom; I did not see the money, how much there was; she put it in her pocket; I burst out a-crying, and said, what shall I do? and she said, what a fool I was to cry, and desired me to walk with her all night; and she met a man in the morning and gave it to him or fold it to him, I don't know which; and I wanted to tell this man that she had given his watch away; and she cried and begged me not to do it.

  JOSEPH WATSON sworn.

I apprehended the prisoner and the last witness; she was very violent, and made use of very bad expressions; she ran to get a knife, and swore she would not go to any gaol; I lost two or three days looking after the watch, but never found it.

Prisoner's defence. I went into a public house to get some beer, the prosecutor was sitting there; we were both in liquor; he gave this woman a shilling and me a shilling, and this young woman made a bed upon the ground; and he waked me in the night and said his watch was gone, and the young woman was gone, and he gave me leave to go and see after her; if I had stole it I should not have gone back to the room again; the gentleman offered me four guineas to put off my trial till next Sessions.

For the Prisoner.

  THOMAS KENNETT sworn.

I have known the prisoner seven years; she is a very industrious hard working woman, and goes out a chairing; I went with another man to the prosecutor, and he said he would make it up for four guineas, and he would wait till next Sessions for the money; I offered him a guinea and an half.

JOHN EDWARDS sworn.

The prisoner's brother lodges at my house; I went with him to the prosecutor last week, to offer him a guinea and a half, in part of four guineas, but he said he would wait till next sessions, to have it altogether; I have known her between five and six years, coming backwards and forwards to my house, I never heard any thing amiss of her.(The prisoner called one other witness, who gave her a good character).

GUILTY . (Aged 26.)

confined six months in the House of Correction , and fined 1s.

Tried by the first Middlesex Jury, before Mr.Justice BULLER.