Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 09 June 2023), April 1888, trial of EDWARD DAVIS (21) (t18880423-475).

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EDWARD DAVIS, Violent Theft > robbery, 23rd April 1888.

475. EDWARD DAVIS (21) , Robbery with violence on George Hammersley, and stealing a watch and chain from his person.

MR. WOOD GATE Prosecuted.

GEORGE HAMMERSLEY . I am a caretaker; on 10th January I was living at 85, Aldgate-Street, and about 7. 30 I was going home; there was a very thick fog, and when I got opposite Wells' public-house a number of men surrounded me, three or four came in front, hustling me—I tried to burst through them but could not; I shouted "What the devil are you up to?" and stretched out my arms, and my gold watch and silver chain were snatched away, value 5l. Cross came up and the men went away.

Cross-examined by the Prisoner. My coat was buttoned, but you might perhaps see the T-piece of my chain in my buttonhole—it was very foggy, but you could see to cross the road—no one was passing till after the watch was plucked.

WILLIAM CROSS . I am a lamplighter, I was in High Street, Whitechapel, about 7. 30, and saw Taylor, McCarthy, Donovan, White, and Hennessey, who have been convicted here, standing outside Wells' public-house—Hammersley was pinioned against the wall, and the prisoner came up, tore his coat open, snatched his watch and chain, and gave them to McCarthy—I told Hammersley that the man with a scar snatched his watch—one day in March I saw the prisoner in White Lion Street, and pointed him out to Candler—I had known him previously.

Cross-examined. I have seen you with people who have been convicted—I did not try to stop you because there were 13 of you—I was about half a yard from you.

WILLIAM MEW (Police Sergeant). On 10th January I was outside Wells' public-house about 7. 10, and saw the prisoner and a number of others standing outside—it was very foggy—I passed on to the station, and then heard of this offence, and tried to find the prisoner—I knew him well and am sure I saw him there.

Cross-examined. You were with Taylor, McCarthy, Donovan, Henessey, and a lot of others who have been convicted since—I did not watch you because I had business to do at the station—I always suspected you because I know you—I did not hear of the robbery till 11 o'clock—I have seen you with very bad characters in Fashion Street.

By the Court. He has been convicted of stealing watches and chains before, he had 21 days' hard labour at Woolwich for stealing a watch, and a month's hard labour as a rogue and a vagabond.

THOMAS CANDLER (Policeman G 441). On 15th March, about 9. 45, Cross pointed out the prisoner to me in White Lion Street, I took him and told him the charge, he said "Have not you had made a mistake in the date"—I said "No, I don't think I have—the men who were with him ran away—I took him to the station, he said he knew nothing about it.

The prisoner then PLEADED GUILTY to a conviction at Epsom, 10th October, 1887, of stealing a watch and chain.

— GUILTY . **— Nine Months' Hard Labour.