Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 23 September 2023), April 1859, trial of JOHN WHITE (28) (t18590404-436).

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JOHN WHITE, Violent Theft > robbery, 4th April 1859.

436. JOHN WHITE (28) , Robbery on James Ray, and stealing from him 12s. and a bag, his property.

MR. MCDONALD conducted the Prosecution.

JAMES HAT . I am a labourer, and reside in Little North-street, Port-man-market—on Saturday afternoon, 12th March, I was in Lisson-grove, going home, between 3 and 4 o'clock—the prisoner and two other men came up to me—I was knocked down—one that is away knocked me down—I know him by sight, but I don't know his name—I was not a great way from the Champion public-house—the prisoner was there when I was knocked down—before they came to me I had a purse in my left-hand pocket containing 12s.—it was when I was knocked down they all ran away down Stamford-street—the prisoner was the last who ran away—I directly felt for my purse, and I had not got it—the money and the purse was gone—I have not been able to get it since—I went to the police-station in John-street, Edgware-road—I saw the prisoner there; he is one of the three that were together when I was knocked down.

Cross-examined by MR. LEWIS. Q. When did you last see your purse with the 12s. in it? A. On the Saturday afternoon—I was perfectly sober—I had come from work just after 2 o'clock—I went home and had my chimney swept, and came out again—I had not been drinking—I had drank water with my dinner—I gave a description of the prisoner to a policeman—it was a slight description—I went into a barber's shop on the Sunday morning—I saw a man there who was one of the three that came to me—I did not give him in charge—I did not ask for a policeman to be sent for—he left the shop first; I went out directly after I was shaved, to see if I could find a policeman—when I was knocked down, my head was cut open—I went to the dispensary on the Sunday morning—we were looking round for the prisoner—the Champion public-house was one which he frequented.

WILLIAM BODEN (Police-sergeant, 11 D). In consequence of information, I arrested the prisoner outside the Champion public-house, on Sunday evening, 13th March—I took him to the station—the prosecutor was sent for, and he said that was one of the men who robbed him.

Cross-examined. Q. Were you the man to whom the prosecutor gave a description? A. No; I received it at the station—it was sufficient for me—the prisoner denied that he was the man—he said he knew nothing about it.

HENRY CATTERMOLE (Police-sergeant, 38 D). I was on duty in Exeter-street, on 12th March—I saw the prosecutor there, and the prisoner and another man were close to him—I afterwards received information of this robbery from the prosecutor—Exeter-street is about 100 yards from the Champion.

GUILTY .

He was further charged with having been before convicted.

JOHN SAWYER . I produce a certificate of the prisoner's former conviction. (Read: "Central Criminal Court, February, 1851. John Howe, convicted of stealing a handkerchief, having been before convicted; Transported for Seven Years.")—The prisoner is the man—I was present at both the trials.

GUILTY.— Four Years' Penal Servitude.