The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

381.   RICHARD PAYNTER was again indicted for stealing 1 pair of trousers, 1 waistcoat, and 3 coats, the property of   Barnett Harris, his master.

MR. THOMPSON conducted the Prosecution.

  WILLIAM REEVE . I am shopman to Mr. Miller, a pawnbroker, of the

hdgeware-road—these two coats (produced) were pawned by the prisoner, one on 16th November, 1861, for 14s., and the second on 22d November, for 17s.

Cross-examined by MR. LILLEY. Q. Have you got the ticket? A. Yes—I have lived with Mr. Miller fifteen months—I had lived with him before—I cannot say that I remember the prisoner being in business about there at any time—I recollect a clothier's shop being opened, but I cannot recollect whether it was by the prisoner or not.

COURT. Q. Are these new coats? A. Yes—they were pawned in the name of John Goldson—I always understood that was his right name—I I have seen the prisoner once or twice—once he offered some things to pawn, and we did not take them in, because we could not agree about the advance—I cannot say the date of that—it was previous to the pawning of this last coat, I think—he said one was his own and the other was his brother's—I did not know him to be a master tailor, or a journeyman—I knew nothing of him or of his position—the two coats were not brought at the same time—if a man comes in with a new coat we ask if it is their own, and they always say it is—some men bring new coats on Monday morning to pledge—it is a daily occurrence.

  ROBERT ALBERT WALLER . I live with Mr. Folkard, of Lambeth-walk, pawnbroker—this coat (produced) is quite new—it was pawned by the prisoner, in the name of John Wells, on 18th December, for 1l.—I knew nothing of him before, but I remembered this transaction, as soon as the coat was brought down to show to the constable.

Cross-examined. Q. What makes you remember it? A. Because the prisoner said that this was an ordered coat, and it was to go home the next day, for two guineas—he wanted it done up very carefully—I laid it up behind—he wanted me to take care of it, he was going to redeem it—either he, or somebody he knew, pawned a bed, for 1l., at our place—the constable has the ticket.

  BARNETT HARRIS . I am a clothier of 19, Harrow-road—the prisoner was in my service as salesman—he came in September, and left in December—this coat which was pledged with Waller, is one of my coats—I had six of them made—these other two are also mine—a pair of trousers and a waistcoat, and several more things that were pledged were taken before the Magistrate—they are not here, the persons gave them up; they would not come here to prosecute—I received fourteen coats and some trousers, pledged by some one, I suspect the prisoner.

Cross-examined. Q. Have you any private mark? A. There was a private mark, but I pointed out to the Magistrate where the ticket was taken out—I had six of those coats made of a certain make, they cost me a certain price—none of them were sold—no other house makes up those coats—I get them from the country; they were made expressly for me—I do not think that there are many persons in London that deal with the same house—the peculiarity of these coats is the binding—I understood that the prisoner was in business himself as a clothier, but I did not know him as such—I am sure he did not deal with the same firm in the country; that party was not in business when he kept a shop.

COURT. Q. How many people have you in your employment? A. Only this man, at the time I lost the property, and a boy.

  WILLIAM GOODLAND (Policeman, L 82). I took the prisoner and found the 122 duplicates, amongst which are the duplicates relating to these coats—neither Slouse, Henford, nor Hitchin are here to-day.

NOT GUILTY .

ADJOURNED TO MONDAY, APRIL 7TH, 1862.