467. + James Page proceedingsdefend , of St. Andrews, Holbourn , was indicted for assaulting John Dennis proceedingsvictim on the King's high-way, putting him in fear, and taking from him 2 s. 1 d. his property , Aug. 12 .

John Dennis < no role > . About the middle of August last the Prisoner and another man assaulted me at the end of Chick-Lane about 11 at night. The Prisoner knocked me down, and another struck me over the head. I called to the Watch, but the Watchman would not take charge of them. They assaulted me twice; first at the end of Black-Boy-Alley, and afterwards at the end of Chick Lane. After I was knocked down, the Prisoner put his hand into my pocket, and took out 2 s. and a penny. He held something like a cutlass over me, and said, if I spoke a word, wo betide me.

Q. Where did you apprehend the Prisoner?

Dennis. Mr. Foot had him in custody, and insisted upon my prosecuting him.

Q. Do you know the Prisoner?

Dennis. I have known him a great while, but it was only by seeing him go by.

Q. What business are you?

Dennis. I follow Musick now, but I am a Joiner by Trade.

Q. How came it you did not take him up, as you knew him so well?

Dennis. I heard that he was gone for a Marine.

Prisoner. I have known the Gentleman these 3 months: he used to come to my house, and play upon musick, and used to beg for money, and I would not give him any, so I suppose he swears against me for that.

Ellis Crafts < no role > . The Prisoner lives in a very honest way, and gets his bread by what he can - He goes of errands, or drives sheep, or does any thing in an honest way. He is forced to live where he can. I am a shoemaker in Beech-Lane.

Mary Crafts < no role > . I have known the Prisoner several years. He is willing to do any thing, go of errands, &c. He was pressed, and carried among the soldiers, but was taken up for this.

Cath. Page. The Prisoner is my own brother. He was pressed for a soldier, but they sent him to Bridewell. I went to see him there, and asked him what he was taken up for? He said he could not tell. But they said he was taken up for a street-robbery. I never knew that he was guilty of any such thing.

James Dicker < no role > . I am a founder. I live on Saffron-hill. The Prisoner used to run of errands, or drive sheep.

John Day < no role > . I am a servant to Mr. How in the Old-Bailey. - I know nothing of the Prisoner. All I have to say is with relation to what the Prosecutor said. I heard him say to day, he did not know the Prisoner; he said he was like the man, but he could not swear to the person.

Dennis*. This man desired I would not swear against the Prisoner. He said, what signifies taking the man's life away? you may say you are not sure he is the person.

* A person said that Dennis the Prosecutor was tried at the Old-Bailey, 13 years ago, for the murder of his Wife.

Another Witness. The Prisoner has been tried here before for a robbery. He is one of the Black-Boy-Alley Gang, and has no visible way of living. Acquitted .

James Page < no role > was a second time indicted for assaulting Mary the wife of John Dennis proceedingsvictim proceedingsvictim , on the highway, putting her in fear, and taking from her three halfpence, the money of John Dennis < no role > , Aug. 12 .

John Dennis < no role > . My wife was with me at the same time, and robbed. They knocked her down, and beat her till she was as black as my hat. I have no other witness here; my wife is gone for Mr. Foot. Acquitted .

A person gave evidence, that the Prisoner goes about a nights, picking of pockets and knocking people down. The Prisoner was ordered to be continued in custody.