334. SARAH MILLS proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 2659. was indicted for that she, on the 20th of April, in the king's highway, in and upon David Waddey proceedingsvictim , did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and stealing from his person a silver watch, value 40 s. a steel chain, value 6 d. and a metal key, value 1 d. the property of James Ross proceedingsvictim ; and half-a-crown in monies numbered , the property of the said David.

DAVID WADDEY < no role > sworn.

On the 20th of April, about a quarter past seven in the evening, James Ross < no role > and I had been down to Wapping; coming up Nightingale-lane we went into a public house to have a pint of beer; while we were drinking the prisoner came in, and asked to drink, we let her drink; she came and set down by Ross, and enticed him out with her; he left his watch andsome silver with me, which I put in my right hand waistcoat pocket; after Ross came in again he asked me for a shilling, and gave it her, and asked her if it was enough, she said yes; but she asked for a glass, which he gave her at the bar as we were going out; she followed us out, and stopped me, and wanted me to go into the house with her, which I refused, with that she chucked her hand into my waistcoat pocket, and took out a half crown piece, and put it in her breast; I took it from her; she put her hand in my pocket again and took the watch, and ran into a back place, and in at a back door, where there was a little staircase, a very dark place; there was a man there in a brown coat got between me and her, and stopped me that she got away.

How came you to let her put her hand in your pocket a second time? - While I was taking the half crown from her she did it, and ran away with the watch in her hand; the man kept me there till she came out of the house again and ran off, and ran into a dark entry; the watch was seen in her hand after she went into the house; I laid hold of her again, and the mob said why don't you cry blood and murder, and you will be rescued; she beat me about the temples with her fist, and a great many more besides her; she got away from me; I followed her and catched her as she was going into another place; it was among such a mob and confusion that I cannot recollect what place; she then said if you will go into the house we will settle every thing, which I refused; then she beat and bruised me again; she got off again; I followed her the last time; I laid hold of her; a person came and rescued me; I was all over blood.

Who came to your assistance? - One of Mr. Smith's officers; Mr. Dawson was the only person I saw when I came to myself; Ross was gone to get an officer.

Did you ever get your watch again? - No.

JAMES ROSS < no role > sworn.

I was with the prisoner at the public house, we went in to have a pint of beer; the prisoner came in and asked to let her drink; she asked me to go out with her; and I did; I came in again and asked my partner for a shilling; I asked her if she was satisfied, and she asked for something to drink, and I gave her a glass; when we went out she followed us, and asked Waddey to go home with her; he said he would not; she then put her hand in his pocket, and took out something and put in her breast; I saw him take it from her; and then I saw her take out the watch while he was struggling with her; I laid hold of her but could not get the watch from her; she handed it over to some other person.

Did Waddey lay hold of her? - Yes, I went away to get a constable, and left her with him; when I returned they were gone; I saw the prisoner again on the Monday following before the Justice.

When did you see the prosecutor again? - The next morning.

Did you ever get your watch again? - No.

JOHN HARRISON < no role > sworn.

I am a pot boy at a public house in Radcliffe-highway; I saw the prisoner run away with the watch in her hand; I did not see her take it, nor I did not see where she went with it.

Did you see who she ran away from? - From Mr. Waddey.

Did you see Ross there? - No.

To Ross. If this woman kept the watch in her hand all the time, how came you not to take it from her? - I could not get it, she struggled so; she is very strong.

ANN WILKINS < no role > sworn.

As I was coming from Hermitage-street, I saw the prisoner and Waddey struggling together; I saw him take a half crown piece out of her bosom, and he asked her to give him his watch; she said she had not got it; he turned round and his hat fell off; a little boy that stood by (if, I will take care of your hat; she has got your watch in her hand.

How did she get away from the man? - The people assisted her and got her off; he caught hold of her again, and tore her gown.

Did you see her take the watch? - No; but I saw it in her hand; it had a steel chain.

ROBERT DAWSON < no role > sworn.

I am an officer; I took the prisoner, but found nothing upon her; she made a great noise, and behaved very turbulently; the prosecutor was bleeding at the nose.

PRISONER's DEFENCE.

I was coming along, the prosecutor was in a mob, he tore a silk handkerchief from my neck; tore my gown, and said I had robbed him; he beat me and used me ill.

GUILTY , Death .

Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.