The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

308.   JOHN LYNCH was indicted for stealing a silver watch, value 40 s. a steal watch chain, value 2 d. a steal seal, value 1 d. and a brass watch key, value 1 d. the property of   James Christie , February 22d .

  JAMES CHRISTIE sworn.

I am a brewer's servant : I came home to dinner with my wife and left my watch hanging up when I went away; my wife came out directly almost, and said, a chimney-sweeper had got my watch; I saw a chimney-sweeper run off; I kept sight of him: the prisoner was that person; at last I got up with him, stopped and collared him; while I had hold of him I did not see him drop the watch, but it was dropped in the alley; Mr. Lee picked it up.

  SAMUEL LEE sworn.

I saw the prisoner come running by my shop; Christie's wife ran and said, he had got her husband's watch; she went over to tell her husband of it who was on the other side of the street; her husband ran after him; I set out to pursue him and came up with him just at the end of a yard, near St. John's-lane; I charged him with having the watch; he denied it; I proposed to search him; something dropped against my legs; I looked and found the watch there; it must fall from Mr. Christie or the boy; it fell on the side of the boy next me.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I did not take the watch.

GUILTY .

Tried by the Second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice BLACKSTONE.

[Imprisonment. See summary.]