The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

1245.   RICHARD HERRING was indicted for stealing, on the 29th of July , 1 order for payment, and value of 5l. , the property of   Hugh Biers .

  HUGH BIERS . I live in  Dorset-place, Dorset-square . The prisoner called on me on the 29th of July, and said he had called for Mr. Woodin's account; he had called once or twice before, but he had not seen me - I owed Mr. Woodin 3l. 11s.; I asked the prisoner what the amount was, and he told me it was 3l. 11s. - I asked him to give me change for 5l.; he said he could not, but he would bring the change down, and I wrote him a cheque for 5l.; he did not return, and I did not see him again till he was at the office - Mr. Woodin afterwards called to know if I had paid his former clerk, and said he was not his clerk then - this is the cheque.

  WILLIAM TYSON . I am clerk to Sir   Claude Scott and Co. This cheque was paid at our house on the 29th of July, the day it is dated.

  DENNIS WOODIN . I am a veterinary surgeon. The prisoner has been my clerk , but had been discharged on the 1st of July; he had access to my accounts, and could know who was indebted to me - some papers were found on him, and among the rest is the sum due from Mr. Biers, extracted from my books.

Prisoner. That account is not in the paper. Witness. I believe it was, but I have not seen the paper since the night he was taken.

Prisoner's Defence. Mr. Woodin discharged me at a moment's notice - I had no one to apply to, and no means of support - he knows well enough that I had no intention to defraud him, or I could have done it, without leaving myself open to the law of my country - I hope, being my first offence, you will visit it with a light punishment - I meant to have repaid it.

GUILTY . - Aged 21. Transported for Seven Years .

1246.   RICHARD HERRING was again indicted for falsely pretending to one   William Ingarfield , that he had come from Mr.   Dennis Woodin , and obtaining from him 3 sovereigns, 16 shillings, and 1 sixpence, with intent to cheat and defraud him thereof .

  WILLIAM INGARFIELD . I am a fishmonger , and live at No. 36,  Paddington-street . Mr. Woodin is my veterinary surgeon - I owed him some money; and on the 15th of July, the prisoner called on me, and said he came for Mr. Woodin's bill or account; I said certainly - I took the bill off the file; it was 4l. 11s. - I said, "Mr. Woodin owes me a little bill for fish; I suppose that is to be deducted" - he said certainly - I made the deduction and paid him 3l. 16s. 6d.

  DENNIS WOODIN . This gentleman owed me this money, but on the 15th of July the prisoner was not in my employ - I did not send him for it, and I never had the money.

  WILLIAM HODGE . (police-constable N 97). I took the prisoner - I found some papers on him.

GUILTY . Aged 21.

Transported for Seven Years longer .