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

31st May 1786

About this dataset

Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: t17860531-81




541. ROBERT BARNARD proceedingsdefend was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 4th day of December last, a cloth coat, value 5 s. a waistcoat, value 2 s. 6 d. a cloth ditto, value 2 s. two shirts, value 20 s. two lawn cravats, value 5 s. the property of John Hardcastle proceedingsvictim ; and two shirts, value 20 s. and two cravats, value 5 s. and two waistcoats, value 5 s. the property of William Skafe proceedingsvictim .

WILLIAM SKAFE < no role > sworn.

I live in Duke's-court; I was returning from Tooting ; the cloak bag that contained the property which I must identify, was buckled on before the post chaise, I did not miss my cloak bag till Mr. Hardcastle stopped at his own door in Thavie's-Inn , that was about six o'clock, it was a dark cold drizzling night; it contained the things in the indictment.

(Deposed to.)

SAMUEL ROBINSON < no role > sworn.

I am constable and beadle of St. Sepulchres; on the 4th of December I was fetched out of bed near seven; I received information that some bundles were gone into a house in Fleet-lane, when I came there, Mr. Scott, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Graham had got a parcel of linen looking over, they are here; they have been in my custody ever since, I spoke to Watkins, but I was dubious about taking him up.

Mr. Garrow, prisoner's counsel. Did you see the people that were with Mrs. Watkins at the time? - No, I only saw in the house the second time, Mr. Watkins, and the property, the parties were gone; I have seen the prisoner several times before and since the 4th of December; I believe his father lived next door to Watkins; I have told Scott and Graham that I believed I had seen the prisoner since December last.

How long have you known Mr. Scott? - Some time.

Did you ever know any good of him? - I never knew any harm of him.

Do you believe him a man to be believed upon his oath? - Upon my oath, I do not know to the contrary.

Is not he the man that proclaimed war against the French? - I heard so.

Have you ever had the misfortune to hear Scott examined upon his oath? - No, Sir.

ALEXANDER SCOTT < no role > This name instance is in set 1530. sworn.

I am engine keeper of St. Andrew Holborn, and live in Union-court; about half after six, on the 4th of December last, which was on Sunday evening, I had information, and I went to Watkins's; I knocked at the door and went backwards, I heard a hustling, and I looked into the shop, and in the back part of the shop, there is a kind of a little parlour, there I saw the prisoner sitting on the side of Mrs. Watkins, and there was another man; then I saw the prisoner lay hold of these clothes in his hands, and he held them up to Mrs. Watkins, says she, that will do very well, put that down; then he handed up a shirt, she said, that will do very well, put that down.

Could they see you at the time? - I do not know that they did, I was in the dark, in the shop, and the room was light where they were; Watkins was gone, I do not know where; then I ran into the room; and I laid hold of the prisoner by the collar; says I, and you will do very well; when I got hold of him the other rushed out, he slipped out of my hand; I then underneath the table found these things, I tied them up and gave them to Roberts.

Mr. Garrow. Well Master Scott, are we to have war or peace with France? - That is neither here nor there.

They sent you to the compter? - Yes.

Mr. Watkins opened the door for you? - Yes, in a moment.

How is this shop parted from the parlour? - Close together, only the window.

You went there to search for some scarlet cloth? - Yes.

So Mrs. Watkins and the prisoner went on deliberately? - Quite quietly.

The scarlet cloth was in the house at the time? - Not to my knowledge.

How many minutes might you be in the shop looking in the parlour? - About three minutes.

How did the prisoner escape? - How do I know, out at the front door, Mr. Graham was behind me, and he knocked Mr. Wilkins aside, who was at the door, and they both got away.

Why is not Mr. Wilkins here? - I do not know.

Was he here on the trial of Watkins? - I cannot tell you, I am short of memory at this present time.

Now I will brush up your memory, do you believe he was not here and examined? - I believe he was.

Have the goodness to tell those gentlemen, who are to decide on this man's case, and your oath, why this Wilkins was not here to day? - I do not know, I was subpoened.

Mr. Hardcastle. I subpoened him because I thought he would not come.

Scott. I was offered ten pounds to screen up the matter, and not to bring the thing into question.

Mr. Garrow to Scott. Do not you know Mr. Wilkins is not here, because he would say that the prisoner at the bar was not the man? - How do I know that.

Upon your oath, have you not heard Wilkins say so? - He was in the street, and it was dark.

Was you sworn? - Yes.

Upon your oath, have you never heard Watkins say that the prisoner was not the man that was in Watkins's house? - I know nothing at all about it; I cannot say, indeed.

But you shall say, one way or the other? - I never heard him say so.

Where did this man live? - I do not know.

Do not you know he lived with his father in Fleet-lane? - I do not know.

Do not you believe it? - I do not know.

Do not you believe it? - I do not know it.

Where did his father live? - I heard, after he was taken up, that he lived in Fleet-lane.

Then, do not you know now, that this man lived with his father, next door to Watkins? - I do not know that this man's father lived next door to Watkins, ever since this affair; I do not know it, nor do I believe it, upon my soul; I tell you the truth; it may be so.

DANIEL GRAHAM < no role > sworn.

On Sunday night, the 4th of December, I went to Mr. Roberts, and gave information of these things carrying in, of this red cloth to Mr. Watkins's; I did not see the prisoner go in with any thing, as I know of; I told Mr. Scott to come along with me; Scott knock ed at the door, Watkins came to the door himself; I asked, what goods went in there; Watkins said, there was no goods; immediately, Mr. Scott came in; I followed him, and went backwards; there is a little room; the prisoner was sorting out some wearing apparel with Mrs. Watkins; I am sure I saw the prisoner there; there was a candle in the back room; Scott said, this will do; and immediately the prisoner brushed out, and gave Scott a swing round; he turned round, and I saw his face; he run out; Mr. Wilkins ran out, but could not catch him; the things were upon the table when Scott came in, and saw them chucked down.

Mr. Garrow. How many minutes did you wait at the door? - About a minute; three or four knocks, and the door was opened; Scott knocked pretty softly, the door was opened, there were two or three bolts undone; I heard Mrs. Watkins saying, that will do; I heard no further, I heard it but once, that was before the things were put under the table; I was close to Scott.

If she had said any thing else, you would have heard it? - May be not so soon.

Did you hear her say, that will do very well, I will give you three guineas and an half for it? - No.

Did you know that young man? - Yes, very well; after we were out, I said that is Barney; in the evening, I said so to Roberts and Mr. Wilkins, and Mr. Scott and Mr. Singleton.

Was you a witness on the trial of Mrs. Watkins? - Yes.

Where did Barney's father live? - I believe, in Fleet-lane.

When did you see Mr. Wilkins? - I saw him to day in St. Paul's church-yard; I told him I was coming here, about Barney; he said he was not subpoened, and the children kept him away.

Do you know John Manby < no role > ? - Yes, by sight; he lodges in Watkins's house.

Prisoner. I leave it to my counsel.

JOHN MANBY < no role > sworn.

I live in Fleet-lane, and was a lodger at Watkins's house in December last, and am now; I am a butcher in the market.

Do you recollect the night when the officers, Mr. Scott and the rest of them, came about some scarlet cloth? - Yes.

Did you see them? - Oh, yes, yes; I saw Scott and Graham, and Wilkins; I do not remember Roberts.

Had you any talk with Scott about the people that were below stairs? - The first thing that Scott said to me, was, Manby, I charge you to aid and assist, and mind these things.

What things were those? - They were a coat and waistcoat, and such things as these; accordingly, I did so; then Scott says to me, says he, Manby, do you know any of those parties that were in the house? no, says I; says he, can you describe either of the parties, or tell either of their names?

What parties was he speaking of at this time? - He did not speak of any parties particularly; it was those people that he found with Mrs. Wilkins; I told him it was out of my power to do any thing of the kind, for I was up two pair of stairs; says he, if you can describe either of the parties, or tell ever a name, by G - d I will give you ten guineas.

That was Mr. Scott? - Yes; he knows me very well, and has done for many years.

Did not Scott tell you, that he knew the person that was below stairs, was Ned Barney < no role > ? - No; he said to Graham, Graham, should you know either of them? to which Graham said, no; should you know them, Scott? no, says Scott, they turned me round like a top, and were gone in a minute, by G - d.

How near did Barney live to them? - The next door.

Did Scott know Barney at that time, think you? - Yes, as well as he knows me; I have seen Scott go by him a hundred times; he has soled and heeled shoes for me since.

Court. It seems to me not to be a case that you can convict the prisoner upon.

Jury. My Lord, we are very well satisfied.

NOT GUILTY .

Tried by the London Jury before Mr. Justice WILLES.




View as XML