The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

703.   MARY MARTIN was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 30th of July , one muslin shawl, value 2 s. and three muslin half shawls, value 5 s. the property of   Samuel Francis , privily in his shop .

  SAMUEL FRANCIS sworn.

I live in  Windmill-street, Tottenham-court-road ; I am a hosier and haberdasher ; I was not at home; on my return, I met the prisoner in custody of   Henry Croker ; and at the watch-house, I examined three half shawls and a whole one, which were my property.

Mrs. FRANCIS sworn.

On the 30th of July, about three, the prisoner and another woman came into our shop to look at some shawls; and none would do; and another woman came in; and they began pulling them about; I had nobody in the shop, but a young infant in the cradle; I know all the shawls; they went out, and bought nothing; and I directly missed one half buff coloured shawl, which the prisoner had looked at in the shop; and was laid down again with several others; I ran after them down the street; and   Hannah Boswell ran after them; and the prisoner was taken by Croker the constable; I saw her searched, but nothing was found.

  CHARLES STOKES sworn.

I saw this prisoner run into a house, No. 19, in Colwell-court, and come out in a moment; she said to the people, I have robbed nobody; and I followed her to John-street; and there, by the brew-house, I saw her drop this buff coloured shawl; and I delivered it to Croker the con- and marked it at the watch-house.

  EDWARD JERDON sworn.

I live at No. 19, in Caldwell-court; and I was sitting at work; I saw the prisoner come in, and throw down these three shawls, at the time Mr. Stokes has just spoke of; I gave them to Croker.

  HANNAH BOSWELL sworn.

Deposed to the running after her; and   Henry Croker , the constable, came up and took the prisoner into custody.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I was walking along; I heard the cry of stop thief, and there were three girls running; they dropt these shawls, and they

took me instead of one of them; I am seventeen the 10th of next June; my friends are in the country.

GUILTY, Of stealing to the value of 4 s. 10 d .

Transported for seven years .

Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice GROSE.