Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 26 March 2023), February 1837, trial of MARY ANN HENRY (t18370227-865).

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MARY ANN HENRY, Theft > pocketpicking, 27th February 1837.

865. MARY ANN HENRY was indicted for stealing, on the 26th of February, 1 watch, value 30s., the goods of William Cracknell, from his person.

WILLIAM CRACKNELL . I am a tailor, and live in Portland-mews. On the 26th of February, at half-past one o'clock, I met the prisoner—she asked me to take a walk with her—I refused—she caught my arm, and desired me again to go—I said I would not; and my coat being unbuttoned, she put her hand into my watch-pocket, and took my watch—she ran away—I pursued and caught her—she fell down, and I fell on her—I saw her put the watch into her mouth—I took it out, and called a policeman, who took her.

RICHARD MARKHAM (police-constable C 129.) I was called, and took the prisoner in St. Martin's-street—the prosecutor charged her with taking the watch out of his pocket—I said, "Where is the watch?"—he gave it me, and it was quite wet—I told the prisoner to go with me—she refused, and laid down—I took her to the station-house.

Prisoner's Defence. He asked if he might go home with me—I said, if be liked—we stood talking, and he wanted to take liberties with me, which I would not allow, and then he struck me, and called the police, and said I had taken his watch—the policeman came and said he meant to take me—I aid,"What for?"—he said, "For taking this man's watch"—I said I had seen no watch, and he gave it to him out of his pocket—he took me to the station-house—three of the policemen tried to put it into their mouths, and could not.

WILLIAM CRACKNELL . I had hard work to get it out of her mouth—here is the mark where she bit it—I had been in Long Acre, and was going borne when I saw her.

GUILTY . Aged 19.— Confined Six Months.