| Reference Number | t18541127-105 |
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| Verdict | Guilty > unknown |
| Sentence | Imprisonment > penal servitude |
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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 CHARLES NOBLE (t18541127-105). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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105. CHARLES NOBLE , burglary in the dwelling house of John Colcell, and stealing 6 spoons, value 22s.; his property.
MARGARET COULSON . I am in the service of Mr. Colcell, at Greenwich. On Tuesday, 14th Nov., I went to bed between 10 and 11 o'clock at night; before I went to bed I saw the silver spoons safe on the plate shelf—I came down the next morning between 7 and 8 o'clock; they were then gone—I also missed a piece of cheese, and a piece of pork, which had been in the safe; these are the articles—I found the safe door and the kitchen door open—they had been closed when I went to bed.
Prisoner. How can you swear to the cheese? Witness. I am sure it is the cheese; I can swear to it by the colour—I had eaten some of it that same night.
Prisoner. I know that I bought the cheese, and she swears to it.
GEORGE CHAPMAN (policemen, R 208). On the morning of 15th Nov., I was on duty in New Cross-road—I saw the prisoner about half past 4 o'clock, going in the direction of London—I asked him where he came from—he said, "From Woolwich"—I asked what he had been there for—he said, "Singing songs"—I asked what he had about him—he said, "Nothing"—I searched him, and found in his inside pocket these half dozen spoons—I asked him how he accounted for them—he said in walking across the road he kicked against them, and picked them up—I searched him further, and found these nut crackers—he said they were by the spoons—I afterwards found this cheese, in his outside pocket—he said he bought that—I afterwards examined the prosecutor's premises, and found some person had gone over a high wall, and then into an enclosed passage, and then into the kitchen.
MARGARET COULSON re-examined. We had lost a pair of nut crackers.
JOHN COLCELL . I know these nut crackers; I believe them to be mine—the spoons I can swear to, by the mark.
Prisoner's Defence. I had been to Woolwich that morning, and as the side I was walking on was rather soft I crossed the road, and came against these spoons and nut crackers; I picked them up, and thought about giving them to a policeman, but I was afraid I should be accused of stealing them; I was walking along, and this man saw me; I passed him, and he called; he stopped me, searched me, and found these things; I told the truth to him, that I picked them up; I know no more about them.
GUILTY . Aged 24.— Four Years Penal Servitude.