The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

281.   JAMES Mc'DONAUGH was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 25th of March , two dollars, value 10 s. the property of   Edward Tyce , from his person.

  EDWARD TYCE . I am a taylor ; I live at 45, King-street, Soho.

Q. What is the prisoner - A. I understand he is a dyer . On the 25th of March, about four o'clock in the afternoon, the prisoner and I went into the  Ship, Duck-lane , we called for a pot of beer and sat down in the box to drink it; I put my hand into my pocket to look for some small change to pay the reckoning, and took my money out; at that time I had three dollars in my pocket, which the prisoner saw; I left the box and went and stood up in the tap-room, the prisoner followed me out of the box, and directly I discovered his hand in my pocket, I prevented him at that time from taking any thing out, I thought no more of it than as a joke; I did not mention it to him. In the course of ten minutes afterwards I found his hand in my pocket again.

Q. Were you sober - A. I was a little fresh, not intoxicated. He took out of my pocket two dollars, I immediately accused him of it, and saw him at the same time deliver something to a woman of the name of   Ann Phillips ; he instantly struck me, and endeavoured to make his escape; I stepped to the door and asked the landlord to fetch me a constable, which he did. A friend of the prisoner called upon me after the first examination and asked me what I meaned to do, he thought he was a very honest young man; I told him I should go to the office and appear against him. When he was going away he put down ten shillings; I took it to the office and gave it to Mr. Bly.

  ROBERT WARD . I am the landlord of the public house I heard the prosecutor say he was robbed of two dollars, he asked me to fetch a constable which I did.

ELIZABETH MADGEWAY. I am a chairwoman. I happened to be in the place at the time, I saw the prosecutor stop the prisoner for robbing him of two dollars, but the money I did not see; I saw the prisoner have something in his hand, he gave it to a young woman; I cannot say what she did with it.

  JAMES BLY . I am an officer. I was sent for to take this man in custody; there was a great confusion in the tap-room, and a great many girls of the town, and the prisoner in the midst of them. The woman was examined, but nothing was found upon her.

Prisoner's Defence. I am a dyer by name; I worked seven years in one shop. I am innocent of the crime.

GUILTY, aged 22.

Judgment respited

First Middlesex jury, before Mr. Recorder.