The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

489.   MARGARET TAYLOR was indicted for a misdemeanor.

THE HON. MR. SCARLETT and MR. ELLIS conducted the Prosecution.

  MARGARET LACEY . I am wife of Richard Lacey, and live at the Globe Tavern, Moorgate. On the 27th of January, between seven and eight o'clock, the prisoner came with a child in her arms, and a man with her—she

called for half a quartern of gin, and tendered me sixpence—I gave her 4d. change, and put the sixpence into the till—there was no other there I am certain—in consequence of some thing that happened afterwards I took the very same sixpence out of the till, and gave it to the watchman—after receiving it from the prisoner I gave it to the bar-maid—I got the same sixpence from her, and gave it to the watchman, within six or seven minutes—after the prisoner had given the first sixpence, she came again without the child, and called for a pint of porter—she offered me sixpence on payment—I gave it to my bar-maid, and said, "Is this a good sixpence?"—she said, "No, madam, it is not"—and then says I, "You have given me two bad sixpences"—she said, "How can you say such a word?"

Prisoner. I gave you 1 1/2d. for the beer, and you said it was 2d., and then I put down the 6d. Witness. No, you did not, I gave bot sixpences to the bar-maid, and she gave both to the watchman—I gave her no change the second time, nor did she take the beer.

Prisoner. I never called for the gin, it was the man, neither did I pay for it. Witness. Yes, you did both.

  MARY GRAHAM . I am the bar-mind. I was present when the prisoner offered the second sixpence—she was served with a pint of beer, and gave my mistress sixpence—it is not true that she offered her 1 1/2d.—my mistress gave the sixpence into my hands—I knew it was bad, and kept it in my hand—I had the other sixpence which my mistress gave me first—I gave them both to the officer, and he gave them back to me to mark—I looked at the till before the prisoner came—there was no other sixpence in it.

  HENRY CORSE . I am inspector of the watch, in Coleman-street ward. I was sent for, and took the prisoner—I received two sixpences from Mrs. Lacey—I gave them back to the bar-maid to mark.

COURT. Q. Do you state that the two sixpences were given to you by Mrs. Lacey? A. In the first place they were—in searching the prisoner I found 1 1/2d.—there were men in her company—I found two-pence on each of them—those men were in the bar—they were both in company with her—they appeared to know her, and talked to her—one of the men had a child in his hand.

  JOHN FIELD . I am Inspector of Coin to the Mint. These sixpences are both counterfeit; but not from the same die.

Prisoner's Defence. A man took me in to give me a drop of gin—I do not know what he paid; but I saw him receive 4d. of Mrs. Lacey—I went in and called for a pint of beer—I put down the 1 1/2d. she said it was two-pence I said, "You must give me change for this six-pence"—she said, "This is a bad one, and this is the second I have taken tonight. You came in with a man, I do not know whether you gave it me or he. "

GUILTY. Aged 29.—Recommended to mercy by the Jury.— Confined One Month.