The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

371.   AMELIA SMITH was indicted for a like offence.

MESSRS. ELLIS and SLEIGH conducted the Prosecution.

  JANE MARIS WAIT . My husband keeps the Red Lion public house, in Clarges-street. On 20th Jan. the prisoner came, and asked for 1 1/2 d. worth of rum—I served her; she gave me a half crown; I gave her change—as soon as she was gone I examined the half crown, and discovered it was bad—I locked it up apart from other money—on 1st. Feb. the prisoner came again, about the same time in the evening—she asked for half a quartern of gin; she tendered me a shilling—I knew her as the person who had been there before—I rather objected to the shilling—she said it was a good one—I took it, and gave her change—I afterwards found it was bad, and put it with the half crown—on 10th Feb. the prisoner came again, about the same time in the evening; she asked for 1 1/2 d. worth of rum—she tendered me in payment a shilling—I gave her change for it, and the moment she left the bar I perceived it was bad—I sent my potman after her; he brought her back—I charged her with having uttered bad money to me—she said she had not; and after a time she said she gave a shilling, but she did not know it was bad; and she had got a penny, which she would leave me for the rum.

Prisoner. I am not the person who went on the two former occasions. Witness. I gave her change for the second piece, because she said it was good—I recognised her the third time, but I still gave her the change.

  JOHN FOSTER . I am potman to the last witness. I remember the prisoner coming to my mistress's on 20th Jan.; she was supplied with 1 1/2 d. worth of rum—I saw my mistress give her change for a half crown—I remember the prisoner coming again, about ten days afterwards, for half a quartern of gin, and she gave my mistress a shilling—I remember her coming on the last occasion, and in consequence of instructions from my mistress I followed the prisoner, and overtook her about 100 yards off—I touched her on the shoulder, and said, "Just come back with me"—when she came to the corner she said, "Where the h—are you going to take me? "—I said, "Just a little further"—I took her to the house, and she was given in charge.

COURT. Q. Did you see the prisoner the first time? A. Yes, I saw her all three times; there was nothing to call my attention to her—there are a great many persons come in.

  WILLIAM CARTER . I took the prisoner into custody on 10th Feb.—she said it was the first time she had ever been in the house, and she did not know the shilling was bad—she had a sixpence in silver on her, and six-pennyworth of coppers—she refused to give her address—I received these two shillings and half crown from Mrs. Wait.

  WILLIAM WEBSTER . These are all counterfeit.

Prisoner's Defence. I never was in that house but once; I uttered the shilling, I know; it was a very cold day, and I went and had the rum; when the man came after me and took me back, the woman said, "This is a bad shilling;" I said I was not aware of it; she said, "If I am not mistaken, you are the person who uttered more bad money;" she went to a till, and she said, "I have no doubt you are the woman that gave me this other money;" I never was in the house before; she says she gave me change

three times, and she sent the potman after me the third time; I asked for a small glass of rum.

  JANE MARIA WAIT . No; she asked for 1 1/2 d. worth of rum.

GUILTY of passing the last shilling. Aged 34.— Confined Six Months.