| Reference Number | t18581122-26 |
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| Verdict | Guilty > unknown |
| Sentence | Imprisonment |
| Related Material |  |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 06 July 2022), November 1858, trial of JOHN LAWLESS (41) (t18581122-26). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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26. JOHN LAWLESS (41) , Unlawfully uttering counterfeit coin, having other counterfeit coin in his possession.
MESSRS. BODKIN and POLAND conducted the Prosecution.
PATRICK MARA . I keep the Robin Hood public-house, Church-lane. On the Monday before 4th November, the prisoner came with another person, who called for a pint of porter, and threw down half-a-crown—I took it up, bent it in a detector, found it was bad, and returned it to him, saying that I would forgive him that time, and he had better keep away for the future, as I was rather too good a judge for him—on Thursday, 4th November, he came alone, called for a pint of porter, and gave me a bad shilling; I bent it in two places, told him I had forgiven him once, but would not forgive him a second time; sent for a constable, and gave him in custody—he then offered me another shilling, but I would not take it.
Prisoner. Q. Am not I a customer at your house? A. No, you are
quite a stranger—I do not rent the house you lire in next door—I am the landlord under the ground landlord, and the house is sub-let by two persons under me—it is a registered lodging-house, and I understand you lodge there occasionally by what I hear—I did not try to knock the shilling you offered me out of your hand—I did not put a hand to you—you were rather the worse for liquor.
DAVID HARRIS (Policeman, E 32). I was sent for to the Robin Hood, and took the prisoner—both his hands were clenched—I opened hit right hand, and found a good half-crown and a sixpence—I tried to open his left hand, but could not—I kept hold of that hand till we got to the station, where I got a sergeant and a constable to assist me, and opened his left hand, and found in it this counterfeit shilling, a good shilling, and four good sixpences, and in his pocket a penny.
WILLIAM WEBSTER . These two shillings are bad and from the same mould.
The prisoner produced a written defence, stating that he received the shillings in change for a half-sovereign, and did not know thai they were bad.
GUILTY .— Confined Three Months.