The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

51, 52.   Leonard Budley , alias Butler ,

and   William Harris , were indicted for assaulting   John Hands , on the Highway, putting him in Fear, and taking from him a Silver Watch, value 40 s. and 5 s. in Money , Jan. 1 .

  William Harris , was a second Time indicted, and   William Atterbury for stealing five Yards of Linsey Woolsey , the Property of   George Cole , Jan. 30 .

  John Hand . Between 12 and 1 at Night, as I was going along the upper Side of  Lincolns-Inn-Fields , by the Duke of Newcastle's, I met   Leonard Butler .

Court. How do you know it was he?

Hand. By the Light of a Lamp that was just by; he seiz'd my Coat with his Left-Hand, and holding a Pistol to me with his Right, he swore he would have my Watch and Money. I stood with my Back to the House, and he with his Back to the Fields, and being taller than I was, I could the better observe his Face by the Lamp. I said, aloud, Take away your Pistol, and you shall have what I have got. No, he swore he would not, and kept punching me with his Pistol. I took out my Watch and gave it him; he took it with his Left Hand, and then had his Accomplices (who I believe to be the Prisoner and this other Person) to search my Pockets, which they did, and took out 4 Shillings, and 2 Sixpences. Says I, If you'll leave the Watch for me at any House, I'll bring the Money for it. They would not agree to that, but Butler bid me make off, or he would send a Ball after me. As I was going, I found my Breeches were cut all down the Side; I gather'd them up as well as I could, and went to a Watchman in Holbourn; I told him my Case, and he came back with me to the middle of Duke-street to look for 'em, but we could not find 'em.

  Amos Foss , Watchman. The Prosecutor came to me and complained that he had been robb'd of his Watch and 6 or 7 Shillings, near the Duke of Newcastle's, by a tall Man and 2 short ones. I saw his Breeches were cut.

  Thomas Essex . Between 12 and 1, I and the Prisoners met the Prosecutor near the End of Duke's-Street. Butler seiz'd him by the Collar, and holding a Pistol to him, swore he would blow his Brains out, if he did not deliver his Watch and Money. He took the Prosecutor's Watch, and I search'd his Pockets, and found 4 Shillings and 2 Sixpences, and then I cut his Breeches.

Court. What did the other Prisoner do?

Essex. He stood upon the Guard, with a Knife in his Hand.

Court. How came you to find out the Prosecutor?

Essex. I surrender'd my self a voluntary Evidence to Justice Mercer; then I advertis'd the Robbery, and the Prosecutor came in next Morning.

Court. How long have you been acquainted with the Prisoners?

Essex. Ever since last   Bartholomew Fair .

Court. Have you any Body to prove that you kept Company together?

Essex. Yes; we used to drink at the Lamb and Horse-Shoe, in George-Alley, which goes from Shoe-Lane to the Ditch-Side. The City-Marshal often came there, and found us together, and threaten'd to send us to the Compter, if he catch'd us there any more.

  Richard Abbot , Carman. I used to drink at that House, and have several Times seen Essex there, in Company with the Prisoners; but I know nothing of their Doings.

- Taylor. I am Constable of St. Andrew's Holbourn. The Lamb and Horse-Shoe is a very notorious House, I used to go every Night, with the City-Marshal, to search it, and I believe I have seen Butler there with Essex.

- Jarvis. The Prisoner Butler was my Servant 3 Years ago; he's a Currier by Trade; but I know nothing of him for this last Year, only that I heard he work'd with Mr. Kitchen.

- He serv'd his Time with Mr. Kitchen, and I heard he has work'd for him within these 3 Months.

Court. You should swear nothing but what you know; what you heard from another is no Evidence.

  William Harvey . I never heard any Ill of Butler before this Time; but I know nothing of him for these 6 Months past. Harris was an Apprentice to a Cock-Founder, but

did not serve his Time out. And after that, he work'd 5 Years with a Gunsmith; but for this half Year, I have known but little of him. The Jury found them both Guilty . Death .