Old Bailey Proceedings:
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials

6th July 1774

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: t17740706-49




519. 520. (M.) JOHN RANN proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 1255. and CATHERINE SMITH proceedingsdefend were indicted; the first, for that he in the king's highway, in and upon John Deval proceedingsvictim , did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and stealing from his person a watch with the inside case made of silver, and the outside case made of black shagreen, value 10 l. and seven guineas in money, numbered, the property of the said John ; and the other for receiving the above watch, well knowing it to have been stolen , May 21st . +

John Deval < no role > . On the 21st of May last about nine at night, I rather think it was past than before nine; just beyond the nine mile stone between this and Hounslow I was stopped by two men on horseback; I was in a one horse chaise; one came on one side, the other on the other; I gave one on the one side seven guineas, to the other I gave my watch; I could not distinguish the persons at all it was so dark; I could not distinguish even the colour of their clothes; I advertised the watch, and as I had bought it of Allam advertised a reward of four guineas to any person that would bring it there; the watch afterwards was brought to him; (the watch produced and deposed to by the prosecutor); I did not at first recollect the number, but I have the receipt, by which I find it is 1192. (The watch was produced in court, and answered that description).

John Allam < no role > . I live with my father, a watch-maker; Eleanor Roach < no role > This name instance is in set 3372. brought me this watch and told me the whole affair.

Eleanor Roach < no role > This name instance is in set 3372. . On Saturday the 21st of May I was at the prisoner Smith's house; she told me Jack was gone out upon the road to get her some money.

Q. Did you understand what she meant by that?

Roach. Yes; She said she expected him home at ten o'clock; he did come home within about five minutes of ten, in a coach; they went up stairs into a room together, and he gave her five guineas, and this watch; I was there on the Monday night, and the prisoner Smith then had this watch by her side; Rann then was taken up; Sir John Fielding < no role > 's people were searching about these lodgings, and Smith put the watch in my hand; I put it on a chair and put the cover of a chair over it; so that it was not seen; afterwards I talked to her and said she did wrong in giving me the watch; that I might have been brought into danger; O, said she, as you do not live with him, if I had given you fifty watches you could come to no harm; when he came home he was in boots and spurs; I went afterwards to Mr. Allam's and told them where this watch might be come at.

Rann's Defence.

I know nothing in the world of this robbery; all is false; I have known this woman for a considerable time; I think this is out of malice; she has often applied to me to take her; I had refused; I have sometimes let her have things; I gave her some shoes.

Roach. Somebody did give me shoes at Epsom; whether it was him or no I cannot tell.

Rann. It is all out of revenge because I would not keep her.

Smith's Defence.

This is all false; I did receive the watch, but not from the prisoner; I received it from a person I met in the Strand; he took me to a tavern; he not having any money, took my direction, and promised to call for the watch, but he did not; she extorted it from my maid, with whom I left it in case the gentleman called for it.

Both acquitted .




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