| Reference Number | t18500304-649 |
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| Verdict | Guilty > with recommendation |
| Sentence | Imprisonment |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 28 May 2023), March 1850, trial of SARAH JAMES (t18500304-649). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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649. SARAH JAMES , stealing 14 yards of ribbon, value 4s. 9d.; the goods of John Corke.
JOHN CORKE . I am a haberdasher, of High-street, Deptford. On 23rd Feb., about half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, the prisoner came and asked my apprentice to show her some satin ribbon—the box was put before her to select the colour and width—she purchased one yard, at three farthings a yard—the apprentice cut the ribbon, and was in the act of putting the box back, when the prisoner said, "Stay a minute, my little dear; I will take one more yard," and while he was reaching for the yard-stick I saw her take one piece of ribbon out—she laid it on the counter for five minutes, covered with her hand, till she got an opportunity of putting it under her cuff—I saw her draw the cuff down, and take it up—I told her to step to the other end of the shop—I said I was very sorry, but I saw her take and conceal a piece of ribbon—she said I was a good-for-nothing fellow to accuse a lady—I told her to draw off her right-hand cuff, and the ribbon dropped out.
Cross-examined by MR. PAYNE. Q. What did she say then? A. She said it got there—I told her it was impossible—during the five minutes that the ribbon laid on the counter I was finishing serving a customer—I was behind the same counter, but further down the shop—I was standing in the same place, serving the same customer, when the prisoner put it up her cuff—she could see me quite plainly—when I accused her she said she had not taken any ribbon, and I ought not to accuse her of any such thing—there was one
more customers in the shop beside the lady I was serving—I suppose the lady I served was there ten minutes—she had some calico and some cord—I was showing her different things—there was nothing on the counter beside the box the prisoner was looking at—it is six inches high.
SAMUEL DAVIS POLLARD . On Saturday, 23rd Feb., the prisoner came into my master's shop, and asked me to show her some satin ribbons—I did, and she said she would take one yard at three farthings—I cut that off, and she said, "Stop a minute, I will have another yard"—I turned round to get the stick, and then it is supposed she took the ribbon—I saw my master look sharp at me, and after I put the box away he asked her to step up to the top of the shop—he said he was very sorry, but he saw her take a piece of satin ribbon—she denied it—he told her if she looked up her right-hand cuff she would find the ribbon—she took the cuff off, and found the ribbon.
Cross-examined. Q. You served her the first yard, then she said she would have a second, and you turned to get the measure? A. Yes—I stood before her all the rest of the time, till my master told her he wished her to walk up to the top of the shop—this is the piece of white satin ribbon.
MR. CORKE re-examined. This ribbon is mine, here is my mark on it.
JAMES SHARP (policeman, R 105). I took the prisoner—I find she lives in Long-alley, Moorfields.
(The prisoner received an excellent character.) GUILTY. Aged 30.—Recommended to mercy by the Jury. — Confined Fourteen Days