Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 28 May 2023), January 1873, trial of MARY ANN JONES (33) (t18730113-147).

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MARY ANN JONES, Theft > simple larceny, 13th January 1873.

147. MARY ANN JONES (33) , Stealing one ring the property of John Lego.

MR. HOLLINQS conducted the Prosecution.

MARY LEGO . I am the wife of John Lego, of Parson's Hill, Woolwioh—I have known the prisoner two or three months—on 31st December, about 12.30, she called upon me when I was washing and had put my

wedding ring on the mantelpiece, and she said, "You have left your wedding ring on the mantelpiece"—I said, "It will take no harm"—she left about 2 o'clock, and I missed the ring directly afterwards—no one else had been there—it was worth 14s. 6d.—I saw the prisoner again about 4 o'clock that afternoon, and she was drunk—I communicated with the police—this is my ring (produced).

Prisoner. I made no remark on the ring, but you remarked that John had been playing with it during his dinner, and he might have hid it.

ARTHUR FINCH . I am assistant to Mr. Boyce, a pawnbroker of Woolwich—this wedding ring was pledged there on 31st December for 4s., in the name of Ann Coleman; I don't know who by.

PATRICK DAVIS (Policeman R 238). On 2nd January I went to the prisoner's residence, 3, Ebenezer Cottages, Plumstead Common, and told her that she was going to be charged with stealing a wedding ring from the bed room of the prosecutrix, who was with me—she said, "I know nothing about it," but afterwards she said, "I took the ring in a lark, and afterwards dropped it"—after that she said, "It is no use my deceiving you any longer, I have pledged the ring for 4s. at Mr. Boyce's, in the name of Maclvor—I went there and found it.

GUILTY .—She was further charged with having been convicted at Maidstone, in February, 1867, to which she PLEADED GUILTY.**— Two Years' Imprisonment.