77. MICHAEL SWIFT proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 1993. was indicted for stealing 24 silver tea-spoons, value 40 s. the property of William Edwards proceedingsvictim , January 6th .

WILLIAM EDWARDS < no role > sworn.

I am a goldsmith , and live near Holborn Bars : I lost 4 half-dozen of tea-spoons last Monday se'ennight between the hours of 12 and one; the prisoner was going by in the custody of 3 men, handcuffed; as he went past he broke the glass of the shew-glass, and took out four half-dozen of tea-spoons; I did not see him do it myself, I was weighing two half-guineas in the shop; I heard the glass break, and ran out; the men that had him in custody brought him into the shop with the spoons in his hand.

[The spoons were produced in Court by Dinmore, and deposed to by the prosecutor.]

JOHN DINMORE < no role > sworn.

I am a constable: on Monday was se'ennight, between 12 and one o'clock, I had the prisoner in custody, handcuffed; I was close by the side of him; he knocked his handcuff into the window, and took the spoons out of the shew-glass.

He did it so openly, it was impossible to escape detection? - He could not escape; I had two other officers along with me; I seized hold of him, and took the spoons out of his hands, and took him into the shop to Mr. Edwards: I had him in custody on suspicion of house-breaking; he was cleared of that.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

It was frosty weather, my foot slipt, and my hand broke the glass, and the spoons came out; I could not help it.

GUILTY .

Tried by the London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.

[Imprisonment. See summary.]