The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

319.   RICHARD  MORDAUNT (34) , Unlawfully uttering counterfeit coin.

MR. WILKINSON Prosecuted. ROSA JANE WELLS. I am a clerk at the Post-office, 227, Maida Vale—on 19th February the prisoner came for a postal-order for ten shillings, and gave me a five-shilling piece, two florins, a shilling, and the cost of the order—I said, "This is not a good five-shilling piece"—he said he got it at Short's in the Strand—I gave it back to him, and he paid with a good half-sovereign—I have no doubt he is the man.

Cross-examined by the prisoner. It was eight o'clock or half-past.

  LAURA SABEY . I assist my brother, a baker, of 4, Victoria Terrace, Willesden—on the night of February 20th the prisoner came in for four sponge cakes, and gave me a five-shilling piece—I gave him the change and ho left—I kept the coin in my hand, having my suspicions—I found it was bad, and somebody fetched him back—I told him it was bad, and my brother gave him in custody—he returned me the cakes and the change.

  JOSEPH SABEY . I am a baker—I was called into the shop when the prisoner was brought back, and asked him if he had any more of those about him—he said, "No"—I said I should have to detain him till a friend of mine came—he said his name was George Forder, of 15, Webber Street, Westminster Bridge Road, but at the station he said that that address was false, and he knew the coin was bad, but he had taken it at Short's in the Strand.

Cross-examined. You said you were very sorry it was a bad one—I cannot give you the exact words.

By the COURT. He might have said, "If it is bad I am sorry for it"—he said he knew it was bad, but possibly he meant he knew it because my sister had told him so.

  CHARLES HARRINGSHAW (129 X). I was called, and Mr. Sabey said the prisoner had tendered the five-shilling piece; he said he was not aware

it was bad; he got it at Short's in the Strand in change for a sovereign in having a glass of port wine, between one and two o'clock that day—I found on him a purse with a sovereign, a shilling, and some bronze in it, all good—he refused to give any name or address at the station—I made inquiries at Webber Street.

Cross-examined. The shilling and two sixpences were in your purse. I took them out.

  WILLIAM JOHN WEBSTER . This crown is counterfeit.

Prisoner's Defence. My witnesses are not here, or they would prove that on Friday night I was in their company from six to nine; we went to a party—on Saturday the 20th I admit I went to the shop, but I had no idea the money was bad—the two shillings were in my pocket and not in the purse at all—it is the first time I have been in trouble.

GUILTY — Six Months Hard Labour.