| Reference Number | t18580222-355 |
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| Verdict | Guilty > unknown |
| Sentence | Imprisonment > penal servitude |
| Related Material |  |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 24 March 2023), February 1858, trial of HARRIET FITZGIBBON, alias Johanna Sullivan (43) (t18580222-355). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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355. HARRIET FITZGIBBON, alias Johanna Sullivan (43) , Feloniously uttering counterfeit coin.
MESSRS. CLERKE and POLAND conducted the Prosecution.
JOHN AVERY (Policeman, L 206). I produce a copy of the record of the prisoner's former conviction—(Read: "Central Criminal Court, March, 1857; Hannah Fitzgibbon, Convicted of unlawfully uttering counterfeit coin, twice within ten days; Confined nine months")—I was present—the prisoner is the person.
Prisoner. What he says is quite correct.
JOHN LILLE . I am a cheesemonger, of No. 4, Wandsworth Road. On Tuesday, 26th Jan., about ten minutes to 5 o'clock, the prisoner came, with a younger woman—I served the prisoner with a piece of pork, which came to 11d.; she gave me a bad half crown; I bit it, marked it in two places, and gave it to her back—I asked her how she came by it; she said that she received it from her husband—she gave me a good half crown, and I gave her the change—they both left together; I followed them about a hundred yards; they stopped at the corner of the turning to Vauxhall Bridge, just by the turnpike, where the prisoner put something down a grating at the side of the road, and forced it down with her feet—it had been freezing—I afterwards pointed out that grating to Letty—this (produced)is the half crown; it has my marks on it.
Prisoner. Q. Did not I purchase something else? A. Yes, on the opposide of the shop, but I know nothing about that—I did not stand at the door, and tell you that I had some very nice pork—I did not give you in charge; you were taken, and the police requested me to attend.
THOMAS WALKINGTON SUTTON . I am servant to a contractor, at Lambeth. On 27th Jan., Letty pointed out to me a grating at the corner of a road—I searched it, and found this half crown in the galley; it had fallen into the soil, and was choked with snow and ice.
ANN ELEY . I keep the George and Dragon, High Street, Vauxhall. On Tuesday, 26th Jan., after 5 o'clock in the evening, the prisoner and another woman came in—the prisoner asked for half a quartern of Old Tom, and gave me a good sixpence; I gave her 31/2 d., change—they both drank of the gin, and then the other woman called for a half quartern of Old Tom, and gave me a counterfeit shilling; I told her directly that it was bad, and they both said, "I do not think that we have any more money"—I sent for a constable; Letty came, and I gave them both in charge—when he came in, they both said they had got some more money, and would I search them, to see if they had any more counterfeit money—I marked the shilling, and gave it to Letty.
Prisoner. You never gave me any change. Witness. I did; and when the policeman came in, you said, "As I have got the coppers in my hand, I will pay for it"—I said, "I must be paid for this Old Tom;" and you asked Mrs. Colston (See next case)—she said, "I have got no more money;" I then sent for a constable—Mrs. Colston said that she was an unfortunate woman, and that a gentleman gave her the shilling.
JOHN LETTY (Policeman, L 47). On 26th Jan., Lille called my attention to the prisoner and another woman, who were walking along High Street, Vauxhall, together—(he pointed out a grating to me, which I pointed out to Sutton the next day)—I watched them into the George and Dragon, and took them into custody, and received this shilling (produced)from Mrs. Eley—they produced money when I went in—3s. 81/2 d. was found on the prisoner, and 183/4 d., some tea, and a piece of pork, on Colston.
WILLIAM WEBSTER . I am inspector of coin to Her Majesty's Mint. This half crown and shilling are both bad.
Prisoner's Defence. I am not guilty; I have been very ill since I came out of prison, and this was the first afternoon I had been out.
GUILTY.**— Four Years Penal Servitude .