Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 08 December 2023), September 1847, trial of JOHN SMITH (t18470920-2068).

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JOHN SMITH, Theft > simple larceny, 20th September 1847.

2068. JOHN SMITH was indicted for stealing 1 basket, value 1s.; 12 bottles, 1s.; and 6 quarts of salad-oil, 15s.; the goods of Ralph Price, and others.

DANILL SHARP. I am porter to Messrs. Ralph Price, and others, of William-street, Whitefriars. On the 14th of Sept., about one o'clock, I was

driving a wagon in Earl-street, Blackfriars—I had three baskets in it containing salad-oil—a gentleman told me that a person had taken a basket out of the back of my wagon—I went in pursuit of the man round the corner—I saw the prisoner with the basket on his shoulder—he dropped it—I followed and overtook him—I am sure he is the man that it—it was in my care, and was the one I had lost.

ISAAC BURN (Citypoliceman,370.) I took up the basket, and took the prisoner.

Prisoner's Defence. I was coming from Billingsgate; a respectable man came to me, asked if I wanted a job, and gave me the basket to carry round the corner; I had not gone many yards before the witness came after me, cut me with his whip, and I dropped the basket.

GUILTY. Aged 23.— Confined Six Months.