- Transcript from the Old Bailey:
1st Trial:
GEORGE COLE , stealing 1 wooden firkin, and 68lbs. weight of butter, value 2l. 11s.; the goods of William Johnston.
WILLIAM JOHNSTON . I live at 6, Bridge-row, Lambeth. On 22nd March, I carried on business at Richmond-place, Walworth, on which day there was a firkin of butter safe at my door at eight o'clock in the evening worth about 50s.—about nine I missed it, and afterwards on the same night, saw it at the station.
JOHN HOWARD . I live at Acton-place, Walworth. One day last March, between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, I was passing Johnston's shop—I had come out of the Rising Sun, which is on the same side of the way, about ten yards off—when I went in I saw the prisoner with a shorter man walking together—I came out, and saw the shorter one take up the firkin of butter—when they got opposite the public-house he dropped it, and the prisoner took it up—the other said "We must carry it off quick, or we shall get lagged," and they turned down Sun-street—I was in the place at the time, I could see Mr. Johnston's door, and where the prisoner and the other man went—I saw a boy come out of Mr. Johnston's door, and two men were taken in custody, but they were in the public-house drinking at the bar at the same time I was, I swore to them, they were acquitted on that ground—I have known the prisoner four or five years by the name of Froggy, and the other one I used to go to school with.
Prisoner. The place he was in is just like a watchman's box; three gentlemen said I was nothing like the man; I was set by myself, and you were brought in, and said, "This is the man." Witness. I went to the station, knew him, and pointed him out directly—they did not point him out to me—they said nothing, whether he was a prisoner or anything of the sort—the shorter one's name is Baker; I believe he is now in Brixton gaol for picking pockets—the butter was found concealed under some hay, down the same turning I had seen them go.
GEORGE QUINEAR (police-sergeant, P 1). I took the prisoner on 24th March, and told him the charge—he said, "I was at Smithfield at the time"—I left him at the station, went to fetch Mr. Johnston, and before I returned he had escaped—I found him again on 17th Oct. in custody at Bow-street, and told him of the charge—he made no reply.
Prisoner. Q. Did you take Baker? A. Yes; I brought two tradesmen to identify him, and they could not, or you either—Baker is now at the House of Correction at Brixton for three months.
Prisoner. Two gentlemen came to recognise me and could not; the policeman said he would have me right or wrong some day or other. Witness. I never did.
GUILTY .**†
2nd Trial:
GEORGE COLE was again indicted (before another Jury) for stealing on 23rd Oct., 1849, 1 handkerchief, value 2s.; 4 sovereigns, 12 half-crowns, and 20 shillings; the property of James Dickinson, from his person.
JAMES DICKINSON . I am a boot-maker, at 4, High-street, Peckham. On
23rd Oct. last year, at a quarter or twenty minutes to nine o'clock in the evening I went to a public-house near the Whitechapel-road—I saw the prisoner and another man at the bar—a young man about twenty-two years old, who I saw when he was examined at the police-court, came in, and called the prisoner by the name of Froggy—they stepped on one side and talked—I sat there some time hearing the examination of the Mannings read—the prisoner and his friend asked me to drink, and I took what I expect was gin—I saw it taken from the bar—I lost all recollection from the time I drank it; I do not recollect parting with the glass—I came to myself about four in the morning, and found myself at Leman-street station, and about 6l. 17s. missing; all I had but 1s.—it was safe three or four minutes before I went into the public-house, and I sat there ten minutes—I also lost a blue silk handkerchief.
Prisoner. He said he could tell me by the back of my neck? Witness. One of his ears stands very wide from the head, and there is something remarkable about his eyes—I described him at the time to the police.
JAMES M'INTOSH (policeman, H 9.) On 23rd Oct., last year, I was in Brick-lane, Spitalfields, and found Dickinson there, apparently drunk; he was stupified—the left side of his trowser-flap was half down, so that I could see his pocket—I took him to the Leman-street station, and found 1s. in his right-side pocket; nothing in his left—before I found Dickinson I had seen the prisoner, whom I had known some time, coming down Thrall-street, in a direction from where I found the prosecutor, and about 300 or 400 yards from him—the prosecutor came to himself next day, and gave me a description, in consequence of which I looked out for a man named Norris, and also the prisoner—I knew where the prisoner lived, went there for three months, from time to time, and could not find him.
CORNELIUS PIKE . I am a bonnet-shape maker, and live in Brick-lane. On the evening of 23rd Oct., last year, about half-past nine o'clock, I was on the pavement in Brick-lane, and saw the prisoner, two females, and a man named Norris, who has been convicted—Dickinson was between the two males, and the females were in advance—as they passed me I heard one of the females say, "Take him round to the chandler's shop"—they passed me six or seven yards, made a full stop, and I saw Norris step behind the prosecutor, and saw the prisoner lift his arm while Norris put his hand into his right-hand pocket—I then saw him take his hand from his pocket, and hold it up to the light—they said some few words I could not hear, and ran off together—Dickinson reeled across the street, and fell down on the opposite kerb—the police came, and I went to the station with them—I knew the prisoner before—I lived 200 or 300 yards from him.
JOHN WILSON . I am a boot-maker, and live in Church-street, Shoreditch. I was in Brick-lane on this night, and saw Dickinson, the prisoner, Norris, and the females, come out of the Three Cranes—the prisoner had hold of Dickinson's arm, and Norris put his hand into his pocket, pulled out something, and brought it before the light in his hand—the prisoner said something about going to the chandler's shop, and they went towards Thrall-street.
Prisoner. Q. Had I a coat on? A. Yes; and a hat.
GUILTY . Aged 23.— Transported for Ten Years.
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Australian Convict Ship Project
Abt 1824 - Yes, date unknown
