The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

1161.   JAMES DARLEY was indicted for sacreligiously stealing, on the 17th of July , 5 s. in monies numbered, and 10 d. in copper monies numbered, the property of   Joseph Hunt ,   John Devereux ,   George Greenway , and   John Law , in a certain chapel .

SECOND COUNT, stating it to be the property of   George Greenway .

  JAMES HANDCOCK . I live in  White-street, Moorfields ; it is my business to do the repairs of the  Roman Catholic chapel there - the poor box is about six feet inside the chapel. On the 17th of July, it having been repeatedly broken open, I screwed it down.

  FRANCIS MOORE . I am near eleven years old. On the 17th of July, I was at the chapel in White-street, about nine o'clock in the morning, with my sister and brother, I saw the prisoner sitting on a bench by the poor box, I watched him, he came up, and asked what I was waiting for? I said I was waiting for prayers. He said there would be none till eleven o'clock, and sent us further up the chapel - my brother and sister went, but I sat close to where he was, and saw him getting up and down to the box; I peeped through the chairs, and saw him put his hand on the box, he then went and spoke to a gentleman. He went to the box two or three times, and lifted up the top, then walked out very quick. I heard a sound like a penny falling - the person whom he spoke to ran out after him.

COURT. Q. Why did you not inform the people - A. I did not see his hand in the box, I saw the lid go up and down, and heard a little noise like the breaking of the box.

  WILLIAM BRODERICK . I live in King-street, Finsbury-square. I was at the chapel that morning, the prisoner was the first person I saw enter the chapel; I went next to the altar, and knelt down, in about five minutes I heard some money fall on the floor, I rose, looked towards the poor box, and saw the prisoner take the money off the floor. I knelt down again, not suspecting any thing; in about a minute I heard a bustle, saw he was gone, and another man in pursuit of him. I went out, and the prisoner denied being in the chapel. I am certain he was there.

  MATTHEW POLLOCK . I am a constable. The prisoner was given into my charge. I found 5 s. in silver, and some copper, in his waistcoat-pocket - he said it was his own.

REV.   GEORGE GREENWAY . I am trustee of the chapel, and have the care of the poor box.

Prisoner's Defence. I conceive if I had broken the box, it would have alarmed those in the chapel.

NOT GUILTY .

London Jury, before Mr. Recorder.