| Reference Number | t18440205-668 |
|---|---|
| Verdict | Guilty > unknown |
| Sentence | Imprisonment |
| Related Material |  |
|---|
| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 22 March 2023), February 1844, trial of JAMES GARDNER (t18440205-668). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
|---|---|
| Navigation | < Previous text (trial account) | Next text (trial account) > |
668. JAMES GARDNER was indicted for unlawfully having counterfeit coin in his possession.
SAMUEL SPECK (City police-constable No. 119.) On the 5th of January I was on duty in plain clothes—I saw two boys in Milton-street—they went to a public-house in Old-street to the tap-room window, and put their hands up to the window—the prisoner came out, and they all three went together to Shoe-lane—the prisoner went into a public-house at the corner of Fetter-court, in Shoe-lane—he was in about an hour—the other boys were outside—they then went back to the same place in Old-street—they spoke to a man at the door, and returned to Shoe-lane and whistled—the prisoner came out—they all three went in company to Pontifex's in Shoe-lane—I followed them—the prisoner went up Robin Hood-court—I caught hold of him when he came down again, and I asked what he had got—he then began dropping money—he dropped a sixpence—I picked it up—I left it at the station, and he had his breakfast out of it—Ellis then came up and took a counterfeit half-crown from his hand—I took him to the station, and found four counterfeit shillings in his pocket, wrapped up in a piece of cotton stocking—the prisoner said he knew nothing about it.
JAMES ELLIS (City police-constable No. 142.) I was with Speck, and founds bad half-crown in the prisoner's hand—I saw Speck find the four bad shillings—as we were taking him to the station he tried very much to get his hand into his pocket.
MR. JOHN FIELD . This half-crown and these four shillings are all counterfeits.
Prisoner's Defence. A person asked if I wanted work; he said he would give me 1s. 6d. to carry some boxes to Long-acre, and he gave me 1s. 6d. when I returned; it was raining fast; I went to the first public-house for a pint of beer; a female came in, and I changed a shilling; the bad half-crown I had had several days; I did not know I had the four bad shillings; the officers must have put them in while they were searching me in the street.
SAMUEL SPECK re-examined. We did not search him in the street—the mob followed so fast we were obliged to walk him sharp to get away.
GUILTY . Aged 25.— Confined One Year.