| Reference Number | t18541127-103 |
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| Verdict | Guilty > with recommendation |
| Sentence | Imprisonment |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 22 March 2023), November 1854, trial of WILLIAM TURNER (t18541127-103). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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103. WILLIAM TURNER , stealing 3 napkins, and other goods, and 1 10l. note; the property of Richard Chatfield, his master.
RICHARD CHATFIELD . I am a master shipwright, in the Dockyard, at Greenwich; the prisoner had been in my service five months; he had been in my wife's service previously. On Saturday morning, 28th Oct., I missed a 10l. note from my writing desk—I had seen it on the Monday—finding I had lost my note, my suspicion was on my servants—I sent to Mr. Booth on 3rd Nov., and the box and drawer of the prisoner were searched in my presence—three dinner napkins, a D'Oyley, and piece of music were found; and on his person a pocket handkerchief—these were my property; and in his drawer were eight sovereigns and a half, and two half sovereigns in a purse—a bunch of keys was on his person, one of which opened my writing desk, where the note was kept.
Cross-examined by MR. COOPER. Q. How long did the prisoner live with your wife, before he lived with you? A. I think about eleven months—no one but him slept in his room—his box was locked—the key was in his possession—ho gave it up to the inspector—they were clean dinner napkins—I do not know the writing on this note—it is not my wife's writing.
WILLIAM KENT . I am a licensed victualler; I keep the Mitre Tavern, at Deptford. On Sunday evening, 29th Oct., the prisoner came to my bar, between 6 and 7 o'clock—he produced a 10l. Bank of England note, and asked for change for his master; I said, "If you put your master's name and address on it"—my daughter wrote the name on it which he gave, "Mr. Smith, Florence-terrace"—I took the note, and gave him ten sovereigns—I paid the note away the next morning.
SARAH KENT . I am daughter of the last witness. I remember the prisoner coming to my father's house; he produced a 10l. note; I wrote on the back of it the name of the person that the prisoner said was his master!—this is the note.
WILLIAM MITCHELL . I am clerk in the banking house of Messrs. Hanbury, in London-street. I was cashier on 13th Oct.; I paid this note on that day to Mr. Chatfield, in a payment of 61l. 3s. 8d.
GEORGE BOOTH . I am inspector of police, at the Dockyard at Deptford. On Friday, 3rd Nov., I went to Mr. Chatfield's house; I searched the prisoner's sleeping apartment—the prisoner was with me—I found in his box 3 table napkins, which I produce, this D'Oyley, and piece of music—in his drawer I found, under the newspaper, eight sovereigns and a half in gold—this pocket handkerchief, belonging to Mr. Chatfield, was on the prisoner's person—Mr. Chatfield identified it as his wife's property, and gave the prisoner into custody—the prisoner said the money was his own savings—I told him Mr. Chatfield had lost a 10l. note, and suspected him of stealing it, and I came there to search his box and drawer—he said, "Very well," he knew nothing about it—I found in his trowsers pocket, a purse with two half sovereigns in it—the prisoner said it was his own savings—I asked him whose the napkins and other things were—he made no reply—I found a bunch of keys on his person—I tried the small key, and I found it undid Mr. Chatfield's desk.
Cross-examined. Q. It is quite a common key? A. Yes, a common desk key—the others are common keys.
RICHARD CHATFIELD re-examined. This is my wife's handkerchief—it is marked, "W. A. B.," her initials before she was married—this D'Oyley I can swear to—this music has my name written on it, by the person who gave it me—I received this 10l. note at Hanbury's bank.
GUILTY . Aged 19.—Recommended to mercy by the prosecutor.— Confined One Month.