The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

227.   JOHN LEE was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of   Thomas Jackson , about the hour of seven at night, on the 12th of February , with intent the goods and chattels therein being burglariously to steal .

  THOMAS JACKSON . I am a butcher , I live at  No. 11, Clipstone Street, in the parish of St. Mary-le-bone . On Tuesday se'nnight I went out between six and seven to pay my landlord my rent, I returned a little before seven, I left my wife and family at home, I have a family of nine children, and my man was down stairs at work, killing, when I came near home, I saw three men at one of my shop windows, I suspected they intended to break in, they were stooping, and in the room of coming into my own door, I went round about, and came directly opposite of them, I stood against a cobler's stall, it was dark, there I saw them push up the sash of one of the shop windows, I saw one of the men get in the window, I run across the way and pulled him out, and asked him what business he had there.

Q. Was all his body in. - A. Yes, all but his legs, if I had shut the window down I should have shut it on his legs, I asked him what he wanted, he said; I want Jem, I said, there is no Jem here, you want to rob my shop, the other ran away, I secured the prisoner and pulled him out, I asked the prisoner what he did there, he said let me go, I said I shall not until somebody else has you. I said, what did you want, he said one of my daughters, I have nine children, my eldest daughter is thirteen years of age, I held him, my wife heard me, she sent my daughter down to my man, my man came, he went for a watchman, I put him in the charge of the watchman, I went to the watchhouse with him immediately.

Q. Have you a lad in the house of the name of Jem. - A. No, my man's name is John.

Q. What age is your eldest daughter. - A. She is thirteen years of age, she goes to school.

Q. Had she any acquaintance with the prisoner. - A. No, she is quite small of her age, she is quite a child.

Prisoner's Defence. I met two young fellows that worked with me at Chathan, they made me drunk, they were coming along, I made a noise they said if I was not quiet they would chuck me in the butcher's shop they opened the window, and put me in.

Prosecutor. I saw him go in, he did not appear to be drunk.

Q. Did he say they throwed him in. - A. No, he was very insolent to me.

GUILTY , DEATH , aged 19.

Second Middlesex jury, before Mr. Justice Bailey.