Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 03 June 2023), July 1847, trial of EDWARD BIRD (t18470705-1573).

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EDWARD BIRD, Theft > simple larceny, 5th July 1847.

1573. EDWARD BIRD was indicted for stealing, on the 26th of June, 1 coat, value 3l.; 2 printed books, 15d.; 1 card-case, 3d.; 1 pair of gloves, 1s.; and 1 key, 2d.; the goods of Francis James Hartridge.

FRANCIS JAMES HARTRIDGE. I am a clerk, employed at No. 14, Gresham-street. On the 26th of June I had a coat there, hanging up behind the door—I saw it safe at one o'clock, and afterwards missed it—this now produced is it—it had in the pockets two books, a card-case, a pair of gloves, and a key, which are here now—they are all my property.

JAMES BEST. On the 26th of June, a little after four o'clock, I found the prisoner coming down the passage of the office of the Great Northern Railway, in Moorgate-street—I stopped him, sent for a policeman, examined his bundle, and found it contained this coat.

Prisoner's Defence. I am an artist, and came to London about three weeks ago. On the day in question I met a Jew on Tower-hill, with a lot of clothes; he asked me to buy a coat, and I bought this one of him for 15s.; he had these other things rolled up in a handkerchief, which he wanted a few pence for; I said I did not want them, and he gave me them; 1 than went into a coffee-shop, where I saw a gentleman, who told me he would give me a job if I came to the Great Northern Railway-office in Moorgate-street; I had two or three glasses of gin and rum; I went there, and went up stairs; he had told me he came out of the secretary's office, on the second floor; I knocked, and got no answer, and was returning down again, with this coat on my arm; then this gentleman stopped me, and asked what I had; I said I had come from the secretary's office; he asked if I had any papers; I said "No;" he took me down stairs; I inquired for a gentleman named Johnson, which was the name the gentleman had given me; a policeman came, and took me to the station; I had another coat, for which I gave 1s.

GUILTY. Aged 19.— Confined Nine Months.

(There was another indictment against the prisoner.)