856. ROBERT RANSON proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 11th of September , one feather bed, value 7 s. one linen sheet, value 3 s. one woollen blanket, value 1 s. one woollen rug, value 1 s. the property of William Ravenshire proceedingsvictim , being in a certain lodging let to him, to be used by him, against the form of the statute.

WILLIAM RAVENSHIRE < no role > sworn.

I live in White's-yard, Saffron-hill , I let a lodging to the prisoner, he lodged with me three weeks, he came to lodge about the 18th of August; I lost a bed, blanket, coverlid, and two sheets, I missed them between nine and ten on Saturday, I pursued him, and took him with the things, he had been at the lodging not above an hour, and had paid the rent about half an hour before I caught him; and the moment he paid the rent and went away, I found the things were gone; then I went and pursued him, and found him at the Castle, the bottom of Saffron-hill, and he had one of the sheets with him.

What was it, a bundle or in his pocket? - He had it loose.

What became of the blanket and rug? - I do not know.

ANN SMITH < no role > sworn.

I live at the top of Fleet-lane, I bought this bed of the prisoner last Saturday was seven-night.

Prosecutor. The bed is mine.

Prisoner. I took the lodging of this gentleman, he had a false key, by which he used to come into my room when I was absent, I was out of work seven months, I have a wife that is in great distress; I took the things and pledged them; I have lost two or three different things in respect to my work, who took them I could not tell.

Court. So now, having robbed the man, you add to the injury by attempting to take away his character.

Prisoner. I did not sell the bed, I put it into this gentlewoman's hands as a pledge, I did it to pay my rent; the sheets she tied the bed in.

What became of the other sheet; I got all the things out, and when I came to deliver them up he would not take them: the Justice had them all; I am a watch-case maker by trade; I am greatly distressed.

ALICE MATTHEWS < no role > sworn.

I have known him between three and four years, he is something in the watch way; his mother lived in my house almost three years, he came every day, I never heard any thing bad of him.

Court to Prosecutor. Did you know any thing of this man before? - He served his time in Shoe-lane, I went to enquire his character, his master gave him a very indifferent one.

But as to this particular fact, had he ever done any such thing before? - Not that I heard of.

GUILTY .

To be whipped , and confined to hard labour six months in the House of Correction .

Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Baron EYRE < no role > .