473, 474, 475, (M.) John Jebb proceedingsdefend , Cornelius Newhouse proceedingsdefend , and John Hunter proceedingsdefend This name instance is in a workspace. , were indicted, for that they one weather sheep, value fifteen shillings, the property of John Mills proceedingsvictim , did kill, with intent to steal the carcass of the same .

Aug. 4 .*

John Mills < no role > . I had the sheep in my own yard. On Saturday the third of August we told out fifty four, they cost me twenty four shillings each; and I don't know that this I mist was worse than the rest. It was missed on the fifth of August . One was kill'd in the fields, joining to Kensington, and Brumpton ; we found the skin, and the guts, and some of the fat on the Sunday morning in the fields; since that I saw a line of mutton in the Gate house, Westminster, which tallied with the tail in the skin left in the field.

Peter Capman < no role > . I was constable of the night. On Saturday morning the watchman brought news they had seen three or four soldiers , with a load on their shoulders; they brought in Newhouse ; I lock'd him up in the Round house, and bid the watchmen go into Gardener's lane. I and two young men that lodged with me, went up the new street to Whitehall, and went down King-street, Westminster; there we saw Hunter, and Jebb, the last had a sack in which was the carcass of a Sheep; we took him to the watch-house and took it out; we could not tell whether it was a weather or an ewe Sheep; we took Hunter on Monday in the New-way Westminster ; on Sunday Justice Lediard sent the sheep to the prisoners at the Gatehouse, and they were all committed there.

John Wills < no role > . The three prisoners and myself went out with a bag, in order to steal some potatoes, out of the fields at Kensington; we saw some Sheep; then we concluded to have one instead of potatoes; we spread ourselves and drove them up to one corner; we catch'd a Sheep and a Lamb; we let the lamb go, and stuck the Sheep; then we took it into the next field, and skin'd it, and took out the guts, and flung the head into the hedge.

Q. To the prosecutor; where did you find the skin and guts?

Prosecutor. I found them in the next field to mine.

Evidence continues. We put the carcass into the sack, which was the very carcase the Justice ordered to the Gatehouse; we were all concerned in killing it.

Prosecutor. The Sheep I lost was very large fat sheep; the tail of it of a very large size; the loin tallied with the tail; all the bone was cut on one side; being cut with a large knife without a chopper.

The prisoners made no defence.

Thomas George < no role > . I have known Jebb two years and a half, he is a shoemaker ; he work'd for me and behav'd very well.

All three guilty, Death .

Recommended to mercy.

See No. 501 in Sir William Calvert < no role > 's mayoralty.