- Report from the Momouthshire Merlin, Saturday 17 July 1847:
The Court rose at half-past six o'clock.
SATURDAY.
His Lordship took his seat on the bench at nine o'clock.
William Hudson, aged 28, puddler and Jane Evans, single woman, aged 23 were charged with having, at Merthyr, on the 23rd July last, assaulted Simon Jones, and stolen from his person £2. and other moneys
Simon Jones sworn: I am carpenter at Aberdare. On the 23rd July I met Wm. Hudson at the Boot lnn, where we drank some beer, about three o'clock in the afternoon. I had seen him go down the street before that. There were others with him. I went alter him. I had a horse, and took it to the stable. I can't say how much beer we drank. I paid for it. Afterwards, my brother-in-law and I went out about six o'clock. I sent David Jenkins to the New Inn for my horse. The prisoner was coming up the street. We had a quart of beer at the New Inn, which I paid for. We then left, and I went up by Pont Morlais towards Merthyr. Prisoner had gone on before us. My brother-in-law went towards Dowlais. I went towards Aberdare, until I met prisoner near Merthyr, not a mile off. When I met him, he came and took hold of my horse. It was by an iron bridge by the tips. I asked him where he was going. He then asked me to give him a quart of beer at the Six Bells. We went on nine or ten yards. He had hold of my horse. He said there was a publichouse in the tips. He turned the horse off the toad to a little water that runs across. I came off the horse then, and he took hold of me across the back; then a girl came up, and she took hold of me. I know her. She is the prisoner at the bar. This was about nine or ten o'clock. Hudson took two sovereigns, six shillings, and three pence out of my left hand waistcoat pocket. I had them at the New Inn. I told prisoner he had taken my money, when the female prisoner ran away. I mounted my horse and went after them. Hudson did not run at the same time as her. I came up to them, and said I was going to the police. They said I should have all my money back again. I had more money, but not in that pocket. We went to Pontystorehouse. Prisoner turned back and told me to hold my hand, and gave me three shillings, and said "There they are". I was not satisfied, and told him to keep them if he liked. He told me to go to the d-l. I went to the police station. I saw Mr. Rees and others, there. I told them what had happened. Next day I went to Aberdare to the magistrates meeting, and gave my evidence there. I was quite well when this happened; and the cause of my illness now is a cart having gone over my neck on Monday night.—The prisoner asked witness about fifty or sixty questions, quite foreign to the subject and the female prisoner put such indecent questions that they are unfit for publication.
Richard Rees: I am a sergeant of police at Merthyr. On the 23td July 1846, the prosecutor came to the station house about ten o'clock and said he had been robbed. In consequence of the description he gave me, I went to the residence of Hudson and Jane Evans. I found the door locked, which I forced open. I searched the house, but found no one there. I did not see Hudson until I saw him before the magistrates on the 14th April last. I did not see Jane Evans between 23rd July, 1846, and 14th April, 1847. I saw her also before the magistrates. Had they been living in Merthyr I would have seen them.
By the Court The prosecutor was quite sober when he came to the station house.
Thomas Vigors, police constable at Merthyr: On 14th April 1 look the prisoners on a warrant for robbing Simon Jones; they were both in bed at the time. I read the warrant to them, when they said they knew nothing of it. took them into custody.
Verdict, Guilty.
A previous conviction, in October, 1845, was then entered against the prisoner Hudson for felony, and he was found Guilty.
Sentence, Wm. Hudson 14 years' transportation and Jane Evans seven years. Hudson, on leaving the dock, said, "Farewell all- I wish you all well!"
From the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian - Saturday 17 July 1847:
SATURDAY.
The Learned Judge entered the hall at nine o'clock.
ANOTHER HIGHWAY ROBBERY NEAR MERTHYR.
William Hudson, aged 28, puddler, and Jane Evans, aged 23, single woman, were charged with having feloniously assaulted Simon Jones, and with stealing from his person two sovereigns, and other money, his property.
Mr. Conybeare conducted the prosecution; attorneys Messrs. Perkins and James.
Simon Jones, carpenter, Aberdare, (who appeared unwell), was examined: On the 23d. July last I met William Hudson at tbe Boot public-house, Merthyr, at about three o'clock in the afternoon. I had seen him previously going down the street. and I went after him. I knew him hefore I saw him in the Boot. I paid for the beer that was drank there. I left the Boot at about six o'clock with David Jenkins, my brother-in-law, and went to the New Inn to fetch my horse. We called (or a quart of beer at the New Imn. I and my brother- in-law and prisoner drank the beer. We then went out together towards Pontmorlais. The prisoner had then gone before us. I parted from my brother-in-Iaw - he going to Dowlais and I to Aberdare by myself. I met Hudson a little way ahove Merthyr. He came to me and took hold of the horse's head. It was by the iron bridge that crosses where there are cinder tips. He asked me if I would give him share of a quart of beer at the Six Bells; to which I replied that there was no odds to me. We went on a little, he catching in the horse's head all the while, and he told me there was a public-house in the tips. He turned the horse into a little road, and I got off the horses back. He took hold of me across my back. A girl came forward, and she took hold of me also. The female prisoner (Jane Evans) is the girl. Hudson took two sovereigns, six shillings, and three- pence, from my left hand waisicoat pocket. I told Hudron that he had taken every penny of my money. and the woman then ran away. I told Hudson I was going to the police directly, Upon which he told me I should have my money back. I had more money than the sum I have named, but more in that pocket. I and Hudson went to Pontstorehouse, -he having ran forward, and I following him. I did not follow him further than Pontstorehouse as he returned to me and desired me to hold out my hand. He handed me three shillings, saying-" There they are." I was not satisfied, and told him to keep them if he liked. He desired me to go to the Devil; Upon which I went to the police-station (laughter).
I saw Mr. Rees there, and several others. I told them what had happened to me. Proceedings were taken against the prisoners. I was quite well when this happened; the cause of my illness is that a cart went over my neck on Monday night.
The prisoners cross-examined witness at great length; but nothing material was elicited.
P.S, Richard Rees examined: On the night of the 23rd of July the prosccutor came to the station-house, and said he had been robbed. In consequence of what he told me I went in search of Ihe prisoners to Pontstorehouse. They live together there. I knocked at the door; and as it was not opened, i forced the door in. No one was inside. I did not see the prisoners between the 23rd of July and the 14th of April. If they had been in Merthyr, I think I should have seen them. The prosecuror was sober when he came to see me.
P.C. Thomas Vigors examined: On the morning of the 14th of April I apprehended the prisoners in the cellars, at Pontstorehouse. They were in bed When I told them tbe charge against them, they said they did not know such a man as Simon Jones.
The jury found the prisoners guilty without the slightest hesitation. It was also proved that the prisoner Hudson had been convicted of felony at the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions in the year 1845.
Wiiliam Hudson was sentenced to be transported for fourteen years; and Jane Evans to be transported for seven years.
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Australian Convict Ship Project
Abt 1818 - 1880 (62 years)
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